Individual variability and metapopulation dynamics: An individual-based model

Abstract

This paper presents individual-based models describing metapopulation dynamics. The local-population model describes the dynamics of a population without overlapping generations. In each generation, the model follows the individuals’ growth. The growth rate of the individuals is affected by the level of resources. The individuals compete for these resources, which are therefore not evenly distributed among them. I compared the persistence of a local population in which the individuals could not disperse with various versions of metapopulation models. Metapopulation models differ in the conditions under which individuals disperse: weaker or stronger competitors, or randomly chosen individuals disperse. Analysis of these models shows that the reasons individuals dispersed affected the persistence of the metapopulation. The influence of the reproduction rate and the individual variability on the persistence of metapopulation is analyzed under the conditions of two types of resource dynamics after the extinction of the local population: with and without regeneration.