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7 - When sinks rescue sources in dynamic environments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2011

By
Matthew R. Falcy  and
Brent J. Danielson
Edited by
Jianguo Liu ,
Vanessa Hull ,
Anita T. Morzillo  and
John A. Wiens
Matthew R. Falcy
Affiliation:
Iowa State University
Brent J. Danielson
Affiliation:
Iowa State University
Jianguo Liu
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Vanessa Hull
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Anita T. Morzillo
Affiliation:
Oregon State University
John A. Wiens
Affiliation:
PRBO Conservation Science
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Summary

Many species of conservation concern occur in spatially heterogeneous landscapes composed of different patches that function as population sources and population sinks. Temporal variation in habitat quality, due to a cycle of habitat disturbance and subsequent recovery, can create relatively underappreciated source–sink dynamics. A cycle of disturbance and recovery can cause a given patch to alternate between functioning as a population source and a population sink. During “good” years, this patch can conceivably sustain another nearby patch that is always sink habitat. However, after a disturbance, the putative source patch may then depend upon individuals from that sink for recolonization. Thus, the metapopulation can depend upon the presence of sink populations for long-term persistence, provided that the sink is relatively unaffected by disturbance. We developed a simple, two-patch model of source–sink dynamics in order to explore the sensitivity of long-term metapopulation persistence to the temporal scale of habitat disturbance, recovery in a putative source patch, and the rate of population decline in the sink. We found that management directed at decelerating the rate of population decline in the sink can have a much greater affect on metapopulation persistence than management targeted at increasing the rate of habitat recovery in the source. This result is magnified as disturbance frequency increases. It is hoped that sinks crucial to metapopulation survival are given appropriate conservation status.

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Information
Sources, Sinks and Sustainability , pp. 139 - 154
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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