Simulating dispersal of reintroduced species within heterogeneous landscapes
Authored by RH Gardner, EJ Gustafson
Date Published: 2004
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2003.08.008
Sponsors:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Platforms:
Fortran
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
This paper describes the development and application of a spatially
explicit, individual based model of animal dispersal (J-walk) to
determine the relative effects of landscape heterogeneity, prey
availability, predation risk, and the energy requirements and behavior
of dispersing organisms on dispersal success. Significant unknowns exist
for the simulation of complex movement behavior within heterogeneous
landscapes. Therefore, initial simulations with J-walk examined the
relative effect of landscape patterns and species-specific
characteristics on dispersal success. Differences in landscape pattern
were simulated by random generation of fractal maps with average
available energy (i.e. prey) and predation risk expressed as a function
of habitat type. Variation in species-specific patterns were then
simulated by a series of scenarios that varied the response of
dispersing individuals to habitat heterogeneity, including: habitat
selection to maximize energy intake, habitat selection to minimize
predation risk, or habitat selection contingent on energy reserves.
Results showed that significant shifts in dispersal could be related to
(1) the unique spatial arrangement of habitat within each map, (2)
changes in relative prey abundance, and (3) variation in the
relationship between energy availability and predation risk.
Hypothetical management scenarios were used to identify critical data
needed to assure the persistence of reintroduced populations of American
martens (Martes americana). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
Competition
connectivity
movement
Habitat fragmentation
Metapopulation
Extinction
Survival
Colonization
Patch size
Explicit population-models