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Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment: extension of theory and application to the barnacle Chthamalus montagui

Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment: extension of theory and application to the barnacle Chthamalus montagui
Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment: extension of theory and application to the barnacle Chthamalus montagui
1. Barnacles are a good model organism for the study of open populations with space-limited recruitment. These models are applicable to other species with open supply of new individuals and resource limitation. The inclusion of space in models leads to reductions in recruitment with increasing density, and thus predictions of population size and stability are possible.
2. Despite the potential generality of a demographic theory for open space-limited populations, the models currently have a narrow empirical base. In this study, a model for an open population with space-limited recruitment was extended to include size-specific survival and promotions to any size class. The assumptions of this model were tested using data from a pan-European study of the barnacle Chthamalus montagui Southward. Two models were constructed: a 6-month model and a periodic annual model. Predicted equilibria and their stabilities were compared between shores.
3. Tests of model assumptions supported the extension of the theory to include promotions to any size class. Mortality was found to be size-specific and density independent. Studied populations were open, with recruitment proportional to free space.
4. The 6-month model showed a significant interaction between time and location for equilibrium free space. This may have been due to contrasts in the timing of structuring processes (i.e. creating and filling space) between Mediterranean and Atlantic systems. Integration of the 6-month models into a periodic annual model removed the differences in equilibrium-free space between locations.
5. Model predictions show a remarkable similarity between shores at a European scale. Populations were persistent and all solutions were stable. This reflects the apparent absence of density-dependent mortality and a high adult survivorship in C montagui. As populations are intrinsically stable, observations of fluctuations in density are directly attributable to variations in the environmental forcing of recruitment or mortality.
intrinsic and extrinsic processes, marine, matrix, parameters, stability
0021-8790
853-863
Hyder, K.
6f4fe91c-b2d6-49b4-a554-222ca3371264
Aberg, P.
9daafca3-4fa8-4893-a0da-46ce50887488
Johnson, M.P.
c02617e0-a68c-460b-b379-066857ba89af
Hawkins, S.J.
758fe1c1-30cd-4ed1-bb65-2471dc7c11fa
Hyder, K.
6f4fe91c-b2d6-49b4-a554-222ca3371264
Aberg, P.
9daafca3-4fa8-4893-a0da-46ce50887488
Johnson, M.P.
c02617e0-a68c-460b-b379-066857ba89af
Hawkins, S.J.
758fe1c1-30cd-4ed1-bb65-2471dc7c11fa

Hyder, K., Aberg, P., Johnson, M.P. and Hawkins, S.J. (2001) Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment: extension of theory and application to the barnacle Chthamalus montagui. Journal of Animal Ecology, 70 (5), 853-863. (doi:10.1046/j.0021-8790.2001.00547.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

1. Barnacles are a good model organism for the study of open populations with space-limited recruitment. These models are applicable to other species with open supply of new individuals and resource limitation. The inclusion of space in models leads to reductions in recruitment with increasing density, and thus predictions of population size and stability are possible.
2. Despite the potential generality of a demographic theory for open space-limited populations, the models currently have a narrow empirical base. In this study, a model for an open population with space-limited recruitment was extended to include size-specific survival and promotions to any size class. The assumptions of this model were tested using data from a pan-European study of the barnacle Chthamalus montagui Southward. Two models were constructed: a 6-month model and a periodic annual model. Predicted equilibria and their stabilities were compared between shores.
3. Tests of model assumptions supported the extension of the theory to include promotions to any size class. Mortality was found to be size-specific and density independent. Studied populations were open, with recruitment proportional to free space.
4. The 6-month model showed a significant interaction between time and location for equilibrium free space. This may have been due to contrasts in the timing of structuring processes (i.e. creating and filling space) between Mediterranean and Atlantic systems. Integration of the 6-month models into a periodic annual model removed the differences in equilibrium-free space between locations.
5. Model predictions show a remarkable similarity between shores at a European scale. Populations were persistent and all solutions were stable. This reflects the apparent absence of density-dependent mortality and a high adult survivorship in C montagui. As populations are intrinsically stable, observations of fluctuations in density are directly attributable to variations in the environmental forcing of recruitment or mortality.

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More information

Submitted date: 18 December 2000
Published date: September 2001
Keywords: intrinsic and extrinsic processes, marine, matrix, parameters, stability

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 57897
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/57897
ISSN: 0021-8790
PURE UUID: e0d30e7a-0706-417e-a86f-9630acb359d0

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Date deposited: 11 Aug 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 11:09

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Contributors

Author: K. Hyder
Author: P. Aberg
Author: M.P. Johnson
Author: S.J. Hawkins

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