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The biotic and abiotic contexts of ecological selection mediate the dominance of distinct dispersal strategies in competitive metacommunities.

Authors :
Khattar, Gabriel
Savary, Paul
Peres-Neto, Pedro R.
Source :
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences; 8/12/2024, Vol. 379 Issue 1907, p1-10, 10p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

While the influence of dispersal on ecological selection is the subject of intense research, we still lack a thorough understanding of how ecological selection operates to favour distinct dispersal strategies in metacommunities. To address this issue, we developed a model framework in which species with distinct quantitative dispersal traits that govern the three stages of dispersal—departure, movement and settlement—compete under different ecological contexts. The model identified three primary dispersal strategies (referred to as nomadic, homebody and habitat-sorting) that consistently dominated metacommunities owing to the interplay of spatiotemporal environmental variation and different types of competitive interactions. We outlined the key characteristics of each strategy and formulated theoretical predictions regarding the abiotic and biotic conditions under which each strategy is more likely to prevail in metacommunities. By presenting our results as relationships between dispersal traits and well-known ecological gradients (e.g. seasonality), we were able to contrast our theoretical findings with previous empirical research. Our model demonstrates how landscape environmental characteristics and competitive interactions at the intra- and interspecific levels can interact to favour distinct multivariate and context-dependent dispersal strategies in metacommunities. This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09628436
Volume :
379
Issue :
1907
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178788043
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2023.0132