Experimental Tests of Within and Between Patch Processes at the Microlandscape Scale. II. an EMS Approach using Microtus pennsylvanicus

9815408鲍尔斯确实需要将小规模的以斑块为基础的实地研究与大规模的景观区域研究联系起来。这个项目将允许PI继续他的研究宾夕法尼亚田鼠作为焦点物种测试补丁动态和源/汇模型。该实验使用复制的微景观，其中良好和不良栖息地的比例和扩散速度在实验控制之下。这是通过在斑块的一个子集中添加补充食物来实现的，以创造良好/不良的栖息地，并通过在斑块之间割草或不割草来控制扩散速率。本提案中概述的模型系统具有研究相关景观中不同质量斑块的特定生境人口统计学的潜力，从而允许严格检查实地研究与景观之间的联系。

9815408Bowers There is a real need to link small-scale patch-based field studies with large landscape regional studies. This project will allow the PI to continue his studies of Microtus pennsylvanicus as the focal species for testing patch dynamics and source/sink models. This experiments use replicated microlandscapes where the ratio of good:poor habitats and dispersal rates are under experimental control. This is accomplished by adding supplemental food to a subset of the patches to create good/poor habitats and the dispersal rates are manipulated by either mowing or not mowing between patches. The model system outlined in this proposal has the potential to study habitat-specific demography of patches of differing quality within linked landscapes, thus allowing the connections between field studies and landscapes to be rigorously examined.