Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Predicting the Effectiveness of Population Replacement Strategy Using Mathematical Modeling
Published on: July 4, 2007
Evolution of dispersal in a structured metapopulation model in discrete time
1Department of Mathematics, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland. kalparvi@utu.fi
Abstract:
In this article, a structured metapopulation model in discrete time with catastrophes and density-dependent local growth is introduced. The fitness of a rare mutant in an environment set by the resident is defined, and an efficient method to calculate fitness is presented. With this fitness measure evolutionary analysis of this model becomes feasible. This article concentrates on the evolution of dispersal. The effect of catastrophes, dispersal cost, and local dynamics on the evolution of dispersal is investigated. It is proved that without catastrophes, if all population-dynamical attractors are fixed points, there will be selection for no dispersal. A new mechanism for evolutionary branching is also found: Even though local population sizes approach fixed points, catastrophes can cause enough temporal variability, so that evolutionary branching becomes possible.
Related Concept Videos
Population Growth
Modeling with Differential Equations
Speciation Rates
Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Individual and Population Analysis
Genetic Drift
What are Populations and Communities?

