Dynamics of a metapopulation with space-limited subpopulations (Q1082293)

A model for species populations with open space-limited local subpopulations is proposed. The local populations are viewed as contributing larvae to a common larvae ''pool''. These larvae settle back into vacant space in the local populations. The model is offered for the population structure of sessile marine invertebrates with pelagic larvae. The species population is called a ''metapopulation'' to distinguish it from the open local populations. The analysis of the metapopulation model relies on a classification of the local systems into ''sources'' and ''sinks'' for larvae. A source is a local system for which the expected production of larvae from the space in it that is currently vacant exceeds the loss of larvae that settle onto that space. Conversely, a sink is a local system where the anticipated output per unit free space is less than the input. In general, a region should be considered as presenting both source and sink areas to the larvae. The metapopulation model is analyzed first in a version that does not include age structure, and in a version with age structure. No oscillations are possible with age structure. One type results from high settlement relative to the mortality and growth rates of settled organisms, as reported previously for the other model. The other type of oscillation results from the life history pattern of fecundity and mortality.