Final answer:
At the metapopulation scale, population dynamics are influenced by the interaction of local populations within a larger network. Subdivided populations interconnected through movement create a 'population of populations', affecting species resilience and regional extinction risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the metapopulation, or regional scale, population dynamics are governed by the interaction of local populations. Metapopulation ecology considers a network of separate populations, each potentially subject to local extinction but collectively enhancing the species' resilience by enabling recolonization through immigration and emigration among populations. These interactions and movements between sub-populations are crucial in understanding the broader dynamics of a species in heterogeneous environments.
A metapopulation is often viewed as a "population of populations" where subdivided populations are interconnected by occasional movements of individuals. This model allows ecologists to evaluate the impact of different factors on regional persistence and extinction risks, taking into account the structure of the populations, habitat quality, patch size, and their isolation.