Spatial variation in the magnitude and functional form of density-dependent processes on the large skipper butterfly Ochlodes sylvanus

Dooley, Claire A.; Bonsall, Michael B.; Brereton, Tom; Oliver, Tom. 2013 Spatial variation in the magnitude and functional form of density-dependent processes on the large skipper butterfly Ochlodes sylvanus. Ecological Entomology, 38 (6). 608-616. 10.1111/een.12055

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/een.12055

Abstract/Summary

1. Understanding the underlying ecological processes that govern population dynamics is essential for identifying the risk of extinction faced by a population. Ecological processes are driven by a number of different density-dependent and density-independent factors. Influential factors may vary between species and are often classified for large areas of a species' geographical range. 2. Here we test the hypothesis that these factors vary on a relatively small spatial scale across a species' range. The population dynamics of the large skipper butterfly Ochlodes sylvanus is investigated for each 100 km2 region within its British range. 3. Different forms of density dependence, including Allee effects, and different density-independent factors are found to influence population change significantly in different regions. The possible underlying mechanisms responsible for each are discussed. 4. In addition to this qualitative spatial variation in influencing factors, the relative contribution of density dependence and density-independent factors to temporal dynamics within each region is quantified. As the range of O. sylvanus is crossed from north-west to east, there appears to be a switch from density independence being more influential to density dependence having a greater impact on population change.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/een.12055
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pywell
ISSN:	0307-6946
Additional Keywords:	Allee effect, density dependence, metapopulation dynamics, mixed-effect models, UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	28 Nov 2013 13:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/503635

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1111/een.12055

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Pywell

ISSN:

0307-6946

Additional Keywords:

Allee effect, density dependence, metapopulation dynamics, mixed-effect models, UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme