Extinction Debt in Source-Sink Metacommunities
2011
Extinction Debt in Source-Sink Metacommunities
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Mouquet Nicolas, Matthiessen Birte, Miller Tom, Gonzalez Andrew
Hypothesis
How does habitat destruction affect species extinction in source-sink metacommunities?
Conclusion
Habitat destruction leads to both direct and indirect extinctions, jeopardizing species coexistence in fragmented landscapes.
Supporting Evidence
- Habitat destruction causes immediate extinctions by removing critical source habitats.
- Indirect effects of habitat loss can lead to delayed extinctions due to altered species interactions.
- Species that are less competitive are more likely to be affected by habitat destruction.
Takeaway
When habitats are destroyed, some species die right away because they lose their homes, while others might take longer to disappear because they rely on other species for survival.
Methodology
The study used simulations to analyze extinction dynamics in a source-sink metacommunity model under varying levels of habitat destruction.
Limitations
The model does not account for patch re-colonization or the effects of patch isolation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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