Evol Ecol Res 8: 1263-1275 (2006)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Simulated and human metapopulations created by habitat selection

Douglas W. Morris1* and Shomen Mukherjee1,2

1Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada and 2Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel

Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.
e-mail: douglas.morris@lakeheadu.ca

ABSTRACT

Questions: Can density-dependent habitat selection create extinction–recolonization dynamics typical of metapopulations? Does habitat selection occur at spatial scales represented by metapopulations?

Approach: Simulation models of discrete logistic population growth by two competing species occupying three habitats. Test of the prediction that resident Canadians move between cities to maximize income.

Key assumptions: Groups in different habitats can be treated as different populations. Different Canadian cities represent separate habitats. Income is a surrogate of fitness. Humans and human societies are appropriate for assessing density-dependent habitat selection.

Results: Density-dependent habitat selection by two competing species can cause frequent local extinctions and recolonization of empty habitat. Canadians disperse between cities in a way that appears to maximize median household income.

Conclusion: Local extinction and recolonization is easily created by density-dependent habitat selection. Humans select habitat at a scale corresponding to that of a typical metapopulation.

Keywords: Canada, fitness, habitat selection, Homo sapiens, ideal-free distribution, metapopulation.

DOWNLOAD A FREE, FULL PDF COPY
IF you are connected using the IP of a subscribing institution (library, laboratory, etc.)
or through its VPN.

 

        © 2006 Douglas W. Morris. All EER articles are copyrighted by their authors. All authors endorse, permit and license Evolutionary Ecology Ltd. to grant its subscribing institutions/libraries the copying privileges specified below without additional consideration or payment to them or to Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. These endorsements, in writing, are on file in the office of Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. Consult authors for permission to use any portion of their work in derivative works, compilations or to distribute their work in any commercial manner.

       Subscribing institutions/libraries may grant individuals the privilege of making a single copy of an EER article for non-commercial educational or non-commercial research purposes. Subscribing institutions/libraries may also use articles for non-commercial educational purposes by making any number of copies for course packs or course reserve collections. Subscribing institutions/libraries may also loan single copies of articles to non-commercial libraries for educational purposes.

       All copies of abstracts and articles must preserve their copyright notice without modification.