The evolution of dispersal in a metapopulation: a spatially explicit, individual-based model
Authored by Calvin Dytham, Justin MJ Travis
Date Published: 1998
Sponsors:
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Flow charts
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
Dispersal is the process that binds the subpopulations of a
metapopulation together. Previous models of the evolution of dispersal
have tended to be deterministic and not spatially explicit. We develop
an individual-based, spatially explicit lattice model to determine how
subpopulation equilibrium density, reproductive rate and form of
competition affect the rate of dispersal that is selected for. For
comparison, a deterministic analogue of the individual-based model is
also developed. Dispersal rate is a neutral character in the
deterministic model. The individual-based model makes predictions which
differ significantly from its deterministic counterpart, particularly
when subpopulation equilibrium densities are low. Higher rates of
dispersal evolve when reproductive rate is high and subpopulation
equilibrium density is small. Our results demonstrate that the
propensity to disperse is not a neutral character and that deterministic
models of metapopulations should be interpreted with caution.
Tags
habitat destruction
Strategies
Population-dynamics
Environments
Consequences
Competitive coexistence
Cellular-model