Classical metapopulation theory as a useful paradigm for the conservation of an endangered amphibian

2012 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey W. Heard ◽  
Michael P. Scroggie ◽  
Brian S. Malone
Keyword(s):  
Metapopulation Theory

scholarly journals Metapopulation Patterns of Iberian Butterflies Revealed by Fuzzy Logic

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 392
Author(s):  
Antonio Pulido-Pastor ◽  
Ana Luz Márquez ◽  
José Carlos Guerrero ◽  
Enrique García-Barros ◽  
Raimundo Real
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Set Theory ◽  
Fuzzy Set Theory ◽  
Metapopulation Dynamics ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Metapopulation Structure ◽  
Occurrence Data ◽  
Metapopulation Theory ◽  
The Cost

Metapopulation theory considers that the populations of many species are fragmented into patches connected by the migration of individuals through an interterritorial matrix. We applied fuzzy set theory and environmental favorability (F) functions to reveal the metapopulational structure of the 222 butterfly species in the Iberian Peninsula. We used the sets of contiguous grid cells with high favorability (F ≥ 0.8), to identify the favorable patches for each species. We superimposed the known occurrence data to reveal the occupied and empty favorable patches, as unoccupied patches are functional in a metapopulation dynamics analysis. We analyzed the connectivity between patches of each metapopulation by focusing on the territory of intermediate and low favorability for the species (F < 0.8). The friction that each cell opposes to the passage of individuals was computed as 1-F. We used the r.cost function of QGIS to calculate the cost of reaching each cell from a favorable patch. The inverse of the cost was computed as connectivity. Only 126 species can be considered to have a metapopulation structure. These metapopulation structures are part of the dark biodiversity of butterflies because their identification is not evident from the observation of the occurrence data but was revealed using favorability functions.

Metapopulation theory, its use and misuse

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilkka Hanski
Keyword(s):  
Metapopulation Theory

scholarly journals How to find a metapopulationThis review is one of a series dealing with some aspects of the impact of habitat fragmentation on animals and plants. This series is one of several virtual symposia focussing on ecological topics that will be published in the Journal from time to time.

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (10) ◽  
pp. 1031-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A. Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Metapopulation Dynamics ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Fragmented Landscapes ◽  
Metapopulation Theory ◽  
Metapopulation Models ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Where habitat loss and fragmentation is severe, many native species are likely to have reduced levels of dispersal between remnant populations. For those species to avoid regional extinction in fragmented landscapes, they must undergo some kind of metapopulation dynamics so that local extinctions are countered by recolonisation. The importance of spatial dynamics for regional survival means that research into metapopulation dynamics is essential. In this review I explore the approaches taken to examine metapopulation dynamics, highlight the analytical methods used to get the most information out of field data, and discover some of the major research gaps. Statistical models, including Hanski’s incidence function model (IFM) are frequently applied to presence–absence data, an approach that is often strengthened using long-term data sets that document extinctions and colonisations. Recent developments are making the IFM more biologically realistic and expanding the range of situations for which the model is relevant. Although accurate predictions using the IFM seem unlikely, it may be useful for ranking management decisions. A key weakness of presence–absence modelling is that the mechanisms underlying spatial dynamics remain inferential, so combining modelling approaches with detailed demographic research is warranted. For species where very large data sets cannot be obtained to facilitate statistical modelling, a demographic approach alone or with stochastic modelling may be the only viable research angle to take. Dispersal is a central process in metapopulation dynamics. Research combining mark–recapture or telemetry methods with model-selection procedures demonstrate that dispersal is frequently oversimplified in conceptual and statistical metapopulation models. Dispersal models like the island model that underlies classic metapopulation theory do not approximate the behaviour of real species in fragmented landscapes. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain if additional biological realism will improve predictions of statistical metapopulation models. Genetic methods can give better estimates of dispersal than direct methods and take less effort, so they should be routinely explored alongside direct ecological methods. Recent development of metacommunity theory (communities connected by dispersal) emphasises a range of mechanisms that complement metapopulation theory. Taking both theories into account will enhance interpretation of field data. The extent of metapopulation dynamics in human modified landscapes remains uncertain, but we have a powerful array of field and analytical approaches for reducing this knowledge gap. The most informative way forward requires that many species are studied in the same fragmented landscape by applying a selection of approaches that reveal complementary aspects of spatial dynamics.

Site reoccupation in fragmented landscapes: testing predictions of metapopulation theory

2001 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph S. Hames ◽  
Kenneth V. Rosenberg ◽  
James D. Lowe ◽  
Andre A. Dhondt
Keyword(s):  
Fragmented Landscapes ◽  
Metapopulation Theory

scholarly journals Defining marine microbial biomes from environmental and dispersal filtered metapopulations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus V. Lindh
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Microbial Community Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Dispersal Limitation ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Microbial Biogeography ◽  
Metapopulation Theory ◽  
Mock Communities

SummaryEnergy and matter fluxes essential for all life1 are modulated by spatial and temporal shifts in microbial community structure resulting from environmental and dispersal filtering2,3, emphasizing the continued need to characterize microbial biogeography4,5. Yet, application of metapopulation theory, traditionally used in general ecology for understanding shifts in biogeographical patterns among macroorganisms, has not been tested extensively for defining marine microbial populations filtered by environmental conditions and dispersal limitation at global ocean scales. Here we show, from applying metapopulation theory on two major global ocean datasets6,7, that microbial populations exhibit core- and satellite distributions with cosmopolitan compared to geographically restricted distributions of populations. We found significant bimodal occupancy-frequency patterns (the different number of species occupying different number of patches) at varying spatial scales, where shifts from bimodal to unimodal patterns indicated environmental and dispersal filtering. Such bimodal occupancy-frequency patterns were validated in Longhurst’s classical biogeographical framework and in silico where observed bimodal patterns often aligned with specific biomes and provinces described by Longhurst and where found to be non-random in randomized datasets and mock communities. Taken together, our results show that application of metapopulation theory provides a framework for determining distinct microbial biomes maintained by environmental and dispersal filtering.

scholarly journals Coordination among neighbors improves the efficacy of Zika control despite economic costs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie J. Lemanski ◽  
Samantha R. Schwab ◽  
Dina M. Fonseca ◽  
Nina H. Fefferman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Larval Control ◽  
Coordination Costs ◽  
Metapopulation Theory

AbstractBackgroundEmerging mosquito-borne viruses like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya pose a major threat to public health, especially in low-income regions of Central and South America, southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Outbreaks of these diseases are likely to have long-term social and economic consequences due to Zika-induced congenital microcephaly and other complications. Larval control of the container-inhabiting mosquitoes that transmit these infections is an important tool for mitigating outbreaks. However, metapopulation theory suggests that spatiotemporally uneven larvicide treatment can impede control effectiveness, as recolonization compensates for mortality within patches. Coordinating the timing of treatment among patches could therefore substantially improve epidemic control, but we must also consider economic constraints, since coordination may have costs that divert resources from treatment.Methodology/Principle FindingsTo inform practical disease management strategies, we ask how coordination among neighbors in the timing of mosquito control efforts influences the size of a mosquito-borne infectious disease outbreak under the realistic assumption that coordination has costs. Using an SIR/metapopulation model of mosquito and disease dynamics, we examine whether larvicide treatment triggered by surveillance information from neighboring patches reduces human infections when incorporating coordination costs. We examine how different types of coordination costs and different surveillance methods jointly influence the effectiveness of larval control. We find that the effect of coordination depends on both costs and the type of surveillance used to inform treatment. With epidemiological surveillance, coordination improves disease outcomes, even when costly. With demographic surveillance, coordination either improves or hampers disease control, depending on the type of costs and surveillance sensitivity.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results suggest coordination among neighbors can improve management of mosquito-borne epidemics under many, but not all, assumptions about costs. Therefore, estimating coordination costs is an important step for most effectively applying metapopulation theory to strategies for managing outbreaks of mosquito-borne viral infections.Author SummaryMosquito-borne viruses, such as Zika, are an urgent public health threat, particularly in tropical, low-income regions. Vector control, the main strategy for combatting outbreaks, can be challenging because the urban-adapted, container-breeding mosquitoes that transmit these viruses often exhibit metapopulation dynamics, where mortality in one population is compensated by migration from neighboring populations. The timing and spatial distribution of vector control efforts can therefore have a large impact on their efficacy. Using a model of virus transmission and vector population dynamics, we demonstrate that local mosquito control initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of Zika and other mosquito-borne infections are most effective when there is communication of surveillance findings among neighboring control agencies and coordination over the timing of mosquito reduction treatments. We find that local communication improves epidemic outcomes even when it imposes costs to resource-limited control agencies due to gains in the efficiency of mosquito control from spatial coordination.

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