Modeling directional spatio-temporal processes in island biogeography.

ABSTRACT: A key challenge in island biogeography is to quantity the role of dispersal in shaping biodiversity patterns among the islands of a given archipelago. Here, we propose such a framework. Dispersal within oceanic archipelagos may be conceptualized as a spatio-temporal process dependent on: (1) the spatial distribution of islands, because the probability of successful dispersal is inversely related to the spatial distance between islands and (2) the chronological sequence of island formation that determines the directional asymmetry of dispersal (hypothesized to be predominantly from older to younger islands). From these premises, directional network models may be constructed, representing putative connections among islands. These models may be translated to eigenfunctions in order to be inco

SUBMITTER: Carvalho JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4670066 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature