Experimental Tests of Within and Between Patch Processes at the Microlandscape Scale: An EMS Approach Using Microtus pennsylvanicus

9420195鲍尔斯关于动物对其栖息地大小和结构变化的反应的信息很多，但关于这些反应背后的过程的科学信息很少。虽然关于当地种群对生境质量变化的反应以及关于个体和种群对生境斑块的反应已知很多，但在种群和景观尺度上将这些过程联系起来的实验工作还很少。本研究以草甸田鼠为研究对象，采用生态模型系统(EMS)方法。研究人员将创建12个重复的微景观，每个微景观由四个栖息地斑块组成，其中好的栖息地斑块和差的栖息地斑块的比率和斑块之间的分散率受到实验控制。局部斑块的质量将通过添加补充食物来控制，扩散速度将通过割草或不割斑块之间的区域来控制。这种设计使人们能够梳理出斑块内和斑块之间的过程对当地和区域人口动态的相对重要性。目前缺乏将人口和景观进程联系起来的信息，这极大地阻碍了管理自然系统和尽量减少涉及生境破坏和碎片化的人为影响的能力。像现在这样的研究对于开发基于过程的、健全的物种管理植物至关重要。

9420195 Bowers There is much information regarding the responses of animals to changes in the size and configuration of their habitats, but there is little scientific information concerning which processes underlie those responses. While much is known about how local populations respond to variation in habitat quality, and something about how individuals and populations respond to habitat patches, there has been little experimental work that connects these processes at the population and landscape scales. This study uses the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, in an ecological model system (EMS) approach. Researchers will create 12 replicate microlandscapes, each comprised of four habitat patches, where the ratio of good to poor habitat patches and dispersal rates among patches are under experimental control. Local patch quality will be manipulated by adding supplemental food, and dispersal rates will be manipulated by either mowing or not mowing areas between patches. This design allows one to tease apart the relative importance of within- and between-patch processes to local and regional population dynamics. The present lack of information connecting population and landscape processes greatly hinders the ability to mange natural systems and to minimize anthropogenic effects involving habitat destruction and fragmentation. Studies like the present one are critical to developing process-based, sound species management plants.