Evidence for an optimal level of connectivity for establishment and colonization

Authored by Thibaut Morel-Journel, Camille Piponiot, Elodie Vercken, Ludovic Mailleret

Date Published: 2016

DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0704

Sponsors: French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Dispersal is usually associated with the spread of invasive species, but it also has two opposing effects, one decreasing and the other increasing the probability of establishment. Indeed, dispersal both slows population growth at the site of introduction and increases the likelihood of surrounding habitat being colonized. The connectivity of the introduction site is likely to affect dispersal, and, thus, establishment, according to the dispersal behaviour of individuals. Using individual-based models and microcosm experiments on minute wasps, we demonstrated the existence of a hump-shaped relationship between connectivity and establishment in situations in which individual dispersal resembled a diffusion process. These results suggest that there is an optimal level of connectivity for the establishment of introduced populations locally at the site of introduction, and regionally over the whole landscape.

Tags

behavior ecology Dispersal Success Spread