From individual movement behaviour to landscape-scale invasion dynamics and management: a case study of lionfish metapopulations.

ABSTRACT: Modelling the dynamics of small, interconnected populations, or metapopulations, can help pinpoint habitat patches that are critical for population persistence in patchy habitats. For conservation purposes, these patches are typically earmarked for protection, but for invasive species management, these patches could be targeted to hasten the populations' demise. Here, we show how metapopulation modelling, coupled with an understanding of size-dependent dispersal behaviour, can be used to help optimize the distribution of limited resources for culling specific populations of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the western Atlantic. Through simulation using fitted model parameters, we derive three insights that can inform management. First, culling lionfish from target patch

SUBMITTER: Tamburello N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6710579 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature