A Mechanistic Approach to Animal Dispersal-Quantifying Energetics and Maximum Distances.

ABSTRACT: Dispersal is a fundamental process driving many ecological patterns. During transfer, species often make large-scale displacements resulting in significant energy losses with implications for fitness and survival, however generalising these losses across different taxonomic groups is challenging. We developed a bioenergetic dispersal model based on fundamental processes derived from species traits. By balancing energy storage and energy loss during active dispersal, our mechanistic model can quantify energy expenditures depending on landscape configuration and the species in focus. Moreover, it can be used to predict the maximum dispersal capacity of animals, which we compare with recorded maximum dispersal distances (n = 1571). Due to its foundation in bioenergetics it can easily be integ

SUBMITTER: Wilkinson C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11840884 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature