Sink Patches Research Articles

The impact of river fragmentation on the population persistence of native and alien mink: an ecological trap for the endangered European mink

The genetic diversity of feral and ranch American mink was studied in order to detect gene flux among rivers, investigate the processes of invasion, and determine the possible effects of river barriers. Tissue samples of 78 feral American mink from 5 different river catchments and 18 ranch mink, collected between 2007 and 2011 in Biscay, northern Spain, were genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci. Lack of genetic differentiation of feral mink among the sites and high differentiation between feral and ranch mink was suggested. These results confirm that the mink population established on Butron River at the beginning of the 1990s may be the origin of almost all the feral mink population within the study area. Additionally, the occurrence of American and European mink was used to analyse the effect of fragmentation on the population viability. The size and composition of the home range of male European mink was considered to model minimum viable units for presence/absence. Forty-two minimum viable units were randomly distributed among rivers in order to analyse the effect of fragmentation on mink occurrence. Barriers were mapped and classified as slight, moderate or absolute, depending on the effect on mink movement, and were introduced into the models. The presence of European and American mink depended on the non-fragmented main river stretches and the number of tributaries free from barriers. Results showed that fragmented rivers can be temporarily occupied but the likelihood of death means that these areas are only sink patches for mink.

Intensity of ecohydrological interactions in reclaimed Mediterranean slopes: effects of run‐off redistribution on plant performance

ABSTRACTWe have conducted a field experiment to ascertain the role of ecohydrological interactions between run‐off source areas and sink patches in the dynamics of artificial slopes derived from open cast coal mining in central‐eastern Spain. We analysed the effects of run‐off interruption on soil moisture, on the leaf water potential of woody species and on the herbaceous biomass in vegetation patches of three reclaimed slopes subjected to a different disturbance degree resulting from different overland flow volumes running down the slopes. Soil moisture and plant performance were seriously affected by run‐off exclusion, and this effect was more intense as level of disturbance increased. In fact, run‐off redistribution appeared to be determinant for plant performance in the more disturbed slope, whereas the presence of the shrub Genista scorpius appeared to be more determinant for plants in the less disturbed slope. Our results confirm the validity of the Trigger–Transfer–Reserve–Pulse model in artificial slopes during the aggradation process. These results point out the importance of run‐off redistribution between vegetation patches in the evolution of artificial slopes by creating fertility islands that improve the performance of vegetation. Restoration practices in drylands may thus significantly improve if a ‘run‐off expert management’ strategy is adopted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Evolution of Patch Selection in Stochastic Environments

A null model for habitat patch selection in spatially heterogeneous environments is the ideal free distribution (IFD), which assumes individuals have complete knowledge about the environment and can freely disperse. Under equilibrium conditions, the IFD predicts that local population growth rates are zero in all occupied patches, sink patches are unoccupied, and the fraction of the population selecting a patch is proportional to the patch's carrying capacity. Individuals, however, often experience stochastic fluctuations in environmental conditions and cannot respond to these fluctuations instantaneously. An evolutionary stability analysis for fixed patch-selection strategies reveals that environmental uncertainty disrupts the classical IFD predictions: individuals playing the evolutionarily stable strategy may occupy sink patches, local growth rates are negative and typically unequal in all patches, and individuals prefer higher-quality patches less than predicted by their carrying capacities. Spatial correlations in environmental fluctuations can enhance or marginalize these trends. The analysis predicts that continually increasing environmental variation first selects for range expansion, then selects for persisting coupled sink populations, and ultimately leads to regional extinction. In contrast, continually increasing habitat degradation first selects for range contraction and may select for persisting coupled sink populations before regional extinction. These results highlight the combined roles of spatial and temporal heterogeneity on the evolution of habitat selection.

Hydrological heterogeneity in Mediterranean reclaimed slopes: runoff and sediment yield at the patch and slope scales along a gradient of overland flow

Abstract. Hydrological heterogeneity is recognized as a fundamental ecosystem attribute in drylands controlling the flux of water and energy through landscapes. Therefore, mosaics of runoff and sediment source patches and sinks are frequently identified in these dry environments. There is a remarkable scarcity of studies about hydrological spatial heterogeneity in restored slopes, where ecological succession and overland flow are interacting. We conducted field research to study the hydrological role of patches and slopes along an "overland flow gradient" (gradient of overland flow routing through the slopes caused by different amounts of run-on coming from upslope) in three reclaimed mining slopes of Mediterranean-continental climate. We found that runoff generation and routing in non-rilled slopes showed a pattern of source and sink areas of runoff. Such hydrological microenvironments were associated with seven vegetation patches (characterized by plant community types and cover). Two types of sink patches were identified: shrub Genista scorpius patches could be considered as "deep sinks", while patches where the graminoids Brachypodium retusum and Lolium perenne dominate were classified as "surface sinks" or "runoff splays". A variety of source patches were also identified spanning from "extreme sources" (Medicago sativa patches; equivalent to bare soil) to "poor sources" (areas scattered by dwarf-shrubs of Thymus vulgaris or herbaceous tussocks of Dactylis glomerata). Finally, we identified the volume of overland flow routing along the slope as a major controlling factor of "hydrological diversity" (heterogeneity of hydrological behaviours quantified as Shannon diversity index): when overland flow increases at the slope scale hydrological diversity diminishes.

Mountain pine beetle dispersal: spatiotemporal patterns and role in the spread and expansion of the present outbreak

Dispersal has been least understood in mountain pine beetle ecology. We developed a novel regional dynamic conceptual model of mountain pine beetle infestation using the tree mortality estimated from the British Columbia annual aerial overview survey to quantitatively determine short-distance dispersal (SDD) and long-distance dispersal (LDD) at local (forest district) and regional (provincial) scales. The dispersal patterns were characterized based on distances between a sink patch to its nearest source patch. At the regional scale, SDD accounted for 85.3% of mountain pine beetle dispersal to non-infested areas and 96.8% of beetle dispersal to infested areas. Although SDD was a dominant dispersal mode, LDD played a more important role in the early stage of the current mountain pine beetle outbreak. At the local scale, three patterns of dispersal to non-infested areas were identified. First, LDD dominated in the forest districts where only sparse infestations occurred. Second, LDD was a dominant or important factor in the early stages of the infestations in some districts. Third, SDD dominated throughout the infestations in more severely infested forest districts. However, for dispersal to infested areas, SDD was a dominant mode in most of the forest districts. We conclude from the spatiotemporal patterns of dispersal observed at local and regional scales that LDD is a key factor in the initiation and early stage of the infestations in new remote areas, and SDD dominate in the spread and expansion of the outbreak as the infestations intensify and reach epidemic levels. However, it should be conscious that there is uncertainty that LDD might have been over emphasized in the dispersal before local dynamics is fully taken into account.

Ecohydrological Source‐Sink Interrelationships between Vegetation Patches and Soil Hydrological Properties along a Disturbance Gradient Reveal a Restoration Threshold

Vegetation, soil, and hydrology in drylands often collectively exhibit strong ecohydrological interrelationships in which vegetation both influences and is influenced by runoff, particularly on sites with more gradual slopes. These two‐way relationships have important implications for ecological restoration of disturbed sites, such as those being reclaimed following mining, yet studies from both ecological and hydrological perspectives specifically evaluating how the strength of ecohydrological interrelationships varies for a range of natural and restored conditions are still missing. We assessed two‐way relationships between vegetation and soil hydrological properties by evaluating patterns of both plant community structure and soil hydrological characteristics related to runoff for natural sites and restored sites following mining. At the plot scale, we identified eight ecohydrological units based on interrelationships between vegetation communities and hydrological properties associated with runoff along a progression from source to sink patch types. Similarly, at the hillslope scale, which included patches of different types, we found a correspondence between the proportions of source and sink patches and both vegetation community and hydrological properties. The relative strength of ecohydrological interrelationships in hillslope mosaics decreased with decreasing disturbance except for rilled hillslopes, likely because parts of the hillslope become isolated from the others. Our results highlight, in general, how ecohydrological interrelationships are related with degree of disturbance, and in particular, how rilling alters ecohydrological interrelationships, thereby precluding effective restoration.

Evolution of unconditional dispersal in periodic environments

Organisms modulate their fitness in heterogeneous environments by dispersing. Prior work shows that there is selection against ‘unconditional’ dispersal in spatially heterogeneous environments. ‘Unconditional’ means individuals disperse at a rate independent of their location. We prove that if within-patch fitness varies spatially and between two values temporally, then there is selection for unconditional dispersal: any evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) or evolutionarily stable coalition (ESC) includes a dispersive phenotype. Moreover, at this ESS or ESC, there is at least one sink patch (i.e. geometric mean of fitness less than one) and no sources patches (i.e. geometric mean of fitness greater than one). These results coupled with simulations suggest that spatial-temporal heterogeneity is due to abiotic forcing result in either an ESS with a dispersive phenotype or an ESC with sedentary and dispersive phenotypes. In contrast, the spatial-temporal heterogeneity due to biotic interactions can select for higher dispersal rates that ultimately spatially synchronize population dynamics.

Nari (calcrete) outcrop contribution to ancient agricultural terraces in the Southern Shephelah, Israel: insights from digital terrain analysis and a geoarchaeological field survey

A field survey revealed that Byzantine and Early Arab (ca. 5th to 8th century C.E.) agricultural systems in the semi-arid region of the Shephelah (central Israel) were similar to runoff agricultural systems in the arid region of the Negev (southern Israel). This similarity led to the hypothesis that systems in the Shephelah also function as runoff farms. This hypothesis is not trivial since runoff values in semi-arid regions are generally low due to intensive but short rainfall events, and due to the presence of sink patches that absorb runoff on slope surface. The aim of the current research is to examine whether runoff potential in a representative agricultural system in the Shephelah is sufficient for sustaining runoff farming. A geoarchaeological field survey and digital terrain analysis show that large Nari (calcrete) outcrops on the footslopes generate high runoff values that improve water potential. Hydrological simulations and calculations show that 230 mm of direct rainfall generates a water potential equivalent to 300 mm of direct rainfall. In view of these results, it is reasonable to conclude that the presence of Nari enabled runoff agricultural farming in the Shephelah region, even in drought years.

Landscape Ecotoxicology and Assessment of Risk at Multiple Scales

Traditional approaches to ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment frequently have ignored the complexities arising due to the spatial heterogeneity of natural systems. In recent years, however, ecologists have become increasingly aware of the influence of spatial organization on ecological processes. Landscape ecology provides a conceptual and theoretical framework for the analysis of spatial patterns, the characterization of spatial aspects of ecosystem function, and the understanding of landscape dynamics. Incorporating the insights of landscape ecology into ecotoxicology will enhance our ability to understand and ultimately predict the effects of toxic substances in ecological systems. Ecological risk assessments need to explicitly consider multiple spatial scales, accounting for heterogeneity within contaminated areas and for the larger landscape context. A simple simulation model is presented to illustrate the effects of spatial heterogeneity by linking an individual-based toxicokinetic model with a spatially distributed metapopulation model. Dispersal of organisms between contaminated and uncontaminated patches creates a situation where risk analysis must consider a spatial extent broader than the toxicant-contaminated area. In general, the addition of a toxicant to a source patch (i.e., a net exporter of individuals) will have a greater impact than the same toxicant addition to a sink patch (i.e., a net importer of individuals).

Source–sink dynamics: how sinks affect demography of sources

Models of source–sink population dynamics have to make assumptions about whether, and eventually how, demographic parameters in source habitats are dependent on the demography in sink habitats. However, the empirical basis for making such assumptions has been weak. Here we report a study on experimental root vole populations, where estimates of demographic parameters were contrasted between source patches in source–sink (treatment) and source–source systems (control). In the presence of a sink patch (simulated by a pulsed removal of immigrants), source‐patch populations failed to increase over the breeding season, mainly due to a high spatially density‐dependent dispersal rate from source to sink patches. Theper capitarecruitment rate was almost two times higher in source–sink than in the source–source systems, but this did not compensate for the loss rate due to dispersal from source to sink patches. Sex ratio in the source–sink systems became less female biased, probably as a result of an enhanced frequency of dispersal movements in females. Good knowledge of the degree of density‐and habitat‐dependent dispersal is critical for predicting the dynamics of source–sink populations.

Understanding the Role of Sink Patches in Source-Sink Metapopulations: Reed Warbler in an Agricultural Landscape.

Populations in agricultural landscapes often occur in source-sink situations: small patches of marginal habitat (sinks) are supported by an immigration flux from larger patches of high-quality habitat (sources). We sought to demonstrate that this situation occurs for Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) in a riverine, mainly agricultural landscape in the Netherlands. We collected data on occurrence and habitat features in a large number of mostly small marshlands. We used a stochastic model to simulate the population dynamics in a metapopulation with sinks and sources. A statistical analysis of the field data, using regression techniques with occupation probability and abundance index as dependent variables, showed that habitat quality was less favourable in small habitat patches (e.g., ditches with reeds) than in larger patches ( large, heterogeneous marshlands). The spatial cohesion of the landscape also played an important role: abundance of breeding Reed Warblers in regions with low spatial cohesion was low. Local extinctions and recolonizations occurred, and their rates depended on the spatial parameters of the patch. This supports the hypothesis that metapopulation theory is applicable here. The results of the modeling study demonstrated that, besides the trivial dependence of sinks on sources, a larger amount of sink area and increased exchange of individuals increased the stability of source patches. This was shown not only by the larger size of the source population but also by increased resilience after a catastrophe. The area of the sink seemed less important than its distance to the source. The simulation indicated an optimal area of a few hectares (compared to a 10-ha area of the source) and a maximum distance of 2-5 km from the source. In creating sustainable landscapes, for example, by setting up an ecological network consisting of a limited number of high-quality patches, these small and seemingly insignificant habitat patches could play an important role and should be taken into consideration.

Understanding the Role of Sink Patches in Source-Sink Metapopulations: Reed Warbler in an Agricultural Landscape

Populations in agricultural landscapes often occur in source-sink situations: small patches of marginal habitat (sinks) are supported by an immigration flux from larger patches of high-quality habitat (sources). We sought to demonstrate that this situation occurs for Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) in a riverine, mainly agricultural landscape in the Netherlands. We collected data on occurrence and habitat features in a large number of mostly small marshlands. We used a stochastic model to simulate the population dynamics in a metapopulation with sinks and sources. A statistical analysis of the field data, using regression techniques with occupation probability and abundance index as dependent variables, showed that habitat quality was less favourable in small habitat patches (e.g., ditches with reeds) than in larger patches ( large, heterogeneous marshlands). The spatial cohesion of the landscape also played an important role: abundance of breeding Reed Warblers in regions with low spatial cohesion was low. Local extinctions and recolonizations occurred, and their rates depended on the spatial parameters of the patch. This supports the hypothesis that metapopulation theory is applicable here. The results of the modeling study demonstrated that, besides the trivial dependence of sinks on sources, a larger amount of sink area and increased exchange of individuals increased the stability of source patches. This was shown not only by the larger size of the source population but also by increased resilience after a catastrophe. The area of the sink seemed less important than its distance to the source. The simulation indicated an optimal area of a few hectares (compared to a 10-ha area of the source) and a maximum distance of 2–5 km from the source. In creating sustainable landscapes, for example, by setting up an ecological network consisting of a limited number of high-quality patches, these small and seemingly insignificant habitat patches could play an important role and should be taken into consideration.

Evolution of heterospecific attraction: using other species as cues in habitat selection

We analyzed the ecological conditions that may favor a habitat selection process in which later arriving individuals (colonists) use the presence of earlier established species (residents) as a cue to profitable breeding sites (heterospecific attraction). In our model, colonists assessing potential breeding patches could select between high-quality source and low-quality sink patches. A proportion of the source patches were occupied by residents. Colonists could either directly sample the relative quality of the patches (termed samplers) or, alternatively, they could also use residents as a cue of patch quality (cue-users). Cue-users gained benefit from lowered costs when assessing occupied source patches. The cue-using strategy is an efficient way to choose the best possible patch not only when interspecific competition is intense, but also when benefits from social aggregation exceed the effects of competition. High relative cost of sampling empty patches increases the fitness of the cue-using strategy relative to samplers. The strongest attraction to heterospecifics was predicted when the benefit from aggregating with residents exceeded the effects of competition, and approximately half of the landscape consisted of occupied, high-quality source patches.

Colonization by annual plants of an experimentally altered desert landscape: source—sink relationships

Summary We studied how annual plant species colonize a set of patches (natural and humanmade) in a shrubland landscape in the Negev desert. We asked what patch properties and species' attributes affect colonization during 4 years after experimental formation of eight sets of pits and mounds. The ‘sink function’ of patches was measured as the numbers of colonizing species, the proportion of patches colonized during each year, and the abundance of the colonizers. The effects of species' dispersal mode and propagule size were examined. In the first growing season, pits and mounds were colonized by large numbers of species. The total number of colonizing species was similar for the two patch types, but incidence was higher in pits than in mounds. The early colonizers were mainly wind‐dispersed and showed both high abundance and incidence. Dispersal mode did not affect colonization in the second year and later, nor did propagule size througout the experiment. Most early colonizers became resident in the patches, but pits and mounds showed some further colonization during the second year. In the third and fourth year both the numbers of colonizing species and their incidence decreased. Pits were mainly colonized from outside the experimental units to which they belonged, whereas mounds received species mostly from the adjacent pits within the same units. From the second year on, patches of undisturbed crusted soil were also colonized, mainly from the adjacent pits and mounds. The number of colonizing species in undisturbed patches increased during the last, high‐rainfall, year both per patch and for the whole set of patches. We conclude that the sink function of patches for colonization increases with removal of vegetation, soil crust and seed bank, with patch capacity to capture resource and plant propagules, and with amount of rainfall. Sink function decreased with time due to decreasing availability of new species, but increased with the presence of stronger sink patches in the vicinity. We suggest that the concept of sink function, in terms of the numbers, incidence and abundance of species of colonizing sets of patches, can be a powerful tool for linking community and landscape processes.

Ecosystem Management of Desertified Shrublands in Israel

The objectives of this study were to understand the ecological processes and possible management strategies in desertified shrublands. We hypothesized that biological production and diversity in desertified shrublands in the Negev in Israel are low due to water, soil, and nutrient leakage from the ecosystem. We designed a series of field experiments in order to examine (a) whether source–sink relationships exist between the crusted soil and the shrub patches, (b) whether resources (water, soil, and nutrients) leak from the system, and (c) whether management, which changes the landscape mosaic by introducing new sink patches that reduce leakage of resources, may increase productivity and diversity. The results indicate that the low number of shrub patches, which serve as sinks for resources, leads to water, soil, and nutrient leakage from the ecosystem. This leakage reduces ecosystem production and diversity. We found that artificially created pits, which act as sinks for resources, decrease leakage and increase biomass production and annual plant species diversity. Based on the experimental results, we developed conceptual models for shrubland desertification and ecosystem management. The models are based on a source–sink relationship between two patch types characteristic of shrublands. The models relate landscape productivity to the number of sink patches and suggest that, in cases where there are too few sinks, artificially created sink patches should be added. Management methods were developed to reduce resource leakage in the desertified shrubland of the Negev. Methods included construction of man-made pits in the landscape that add resource-enriched patches to the landscape. These patches are used to create parks consisting of clusters of trees integrated into a matrix of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. The managed parks are used for recreational purposes and for rangeland.

DYNAMICS AND VIABILITY OF A METAPOPULATION OF THE ENDANGERED IBERIAN LYNX (LYNX PARDINUS)

The use of metapopulation models in conservation biology is growing exponentially, but there is a need for empirical studies that support theoretical approaches, especially for species with large and long-lived individuals. In this paper we explore the viability and dynamics of a real metapopulation of an endangered mammal by combining field work and modeling in order to support conservation decisions and evaluate theoretical approaches. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), considered the most vulnerable felid in the world, is restricted to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. The persistence of the species is handicapped by the high fragmentation of its populations. Fewer than 1000 individuals are distributed in nine isolated populations, each of them also fragmented but with their patches connected by dispersers, in what could be called metapopulations. One of these metapopulations, including ∼60 individuals, inhabits the Doñana National Park (DNP) and its surroundings. Demographic and behavioral data gathered over one decade for this lynx population were employed to develop a spatially realistic structured model with density-dependent fecundity and migration, including demographic and environmental stochasticity. Such a model is used to identify the demographic features that determine the dynamics of this population and to predict its risk of decline under a set of alternative assumptions. A hypothetical lynx metapopulation with values of the parameters such as those observed in Doñana, but without stochastic events, could sustain itself over time. Results of this deterministic model show how females occupy all the potential breeding territories, while males are below the carrying capacity. The metapopulation has a source–sink structure, with the sources internal and the sinks external to the national park. Sinks result from reduced survival rather than reduced fecundity, as generally assumed. High mortality in sink patches is deterministic, deriving both from within-patch risks and from factors related to the landscape matrix among patches. The survival rate of adults with territories in the sources was the most sensitive parameter, leading the dynamics of the metapopulation. When we include demographic stochasticity in the model, the population becomes extinct 22% of the time within 100 yr, and this value increases to 33.8% when environmental stochasticity is also considered. Most of the metapopulation extinctions occurred because of the disappearance of males due to sex differences in demographic parameters related to behavioral aspects (e.g., dispersal rate). Different scenarios were simulated as modifications affecting either within- or between-patch dynamics. Changes in the carrying capacity of source and sink patches would have very differentconsequences in terms of metapopulation persistence: one breeding territory increase in the largest source reduces metapopulation extinction risk from 33.8 to 17.2% in 100 yr, while an increase of three territories in the largest sink does not modify the extinction risk. In this sense, results suggest that the best management strategy for conservation should be restoring habitat at the source patches and reducing mortality at the sinks. The results of our models emphasize the need for empirical studies to characterize metapopulations in nature and distinguish between such terms as source–sink, mainland–island, nonequilibrium, or even “refuge” metapopulations.

Effects of patch connectivity and arrangement on animal metapopulation dynamics: a simulation study

We constructed a simulation model of metapopulation dynamics consisting of two or three habitat patches using STELLA. our simulations show that, given the assumptions of the deterministic model, the metapopulation is doomed to global extinction with or without interpatch immigration when all local populations are below minimum viable population (MVP) size. This suggests that for a cluster of scattered small populations, it is preferable to focus on augmenting individual population sizes rather than enhancing interpatch immigration. In the case when at least one of the subpopulations is above the MVP size, there is a critical size for that subpopulation above which the metapopulation persists and otherwise collapses. Also, when a metapopulation system is composed of more than two patches, the spatial configuration in terms of patch connection and the relative position of the above-MVP subpopulation will have significant effects on metapopulation dynamics and persitence. All simulation results from the three-patch animal metapopulation model suggest that both the number of interpatch connections and the magnitude represented by them are crucial for overall patch connectivity. The magnitude of interpatch immigration is positively related to the minimum size of the above-MVP subpopulation in both the two- and three-patch metapopulation systems due to population sink effect. The phenomenon is especially significant when subpopulations in sink patches are well below MVP. Appropriate introduction of stochastic components into the model may increase its realism especially for the cases where all subpopulations are well below MVP. Although the current version of the model involves no more than three patches, it may serve as a general conceptual framework and a specific simulator for modeling metapopulation dynamics incorporating a variety of spatial arrangements of habitat patches.

Letter: G.M.C. and Indian qualifications.

<h3>Abstract</h3> Predation as an important trophic interaction of ecological communities controls the large-scale patterns of species distribution, population abundance and community structure. Numerous studies address that predation can mediate diversity and regulate the ecological community and food web stability through changes in the behaviour, morphology, development, and abundance of prey. Since predation has large effects on persistence and diversity, the local loss or removal of predation in a community can trigger a cascade of extinctions. In ecological theory, the effect of predation removal has been well studied in foodwebs, but it remains unclear in the case of a spatially distributed community connected by dispersal. In this study, the interaction between local and spatial processes is taken into account, we present how a predation turnoff in selective patches affects the stability and persistence of a metacommunity. Using a simple predator-prey metacommunity with a diffusive dispersal, we show the impact of predation on synchronized, asynchronized and source-sink dynamics. Our results reveal that predation turnoff in very few patches alters a perfectly synchronized oscillatory state into multicluster states consisting of various patterns. In a source-sink behaviour, predation turnoff in a source patch reduces the number of sink patches and changes the clusters. In general, predation turnoff in a finite number of patches increases the number of clusters through asynchronized (inhomogeneous) states, whereas predation turnoff in a larger number of patches can lead to the complete extinction of predators. Typically, there exists a critical number of patches below which the predation turnoff results in asynchronized states and above that predation turnoff leads to a synchronized state in prey population with complete extinction of predators. Further, our results identify the network configurations that exhibit a unique number of clusters. Moreover, prey density from the patches where predation is absent goes to a saturating state near the carrying capacity. Thus, this study stresses that predation turnoff in selective patches acts as a stabilizing mechanism that can promote metacommunity persistence.