Question

In a metapopulation of collared lizards, how does decreasing the distance between habitat patches affect the synchrony of fluctuations among lizard subpopulations?

1) Dispersal is more frequent between nearby patches, so subpopulations fluctuate synchronously.
2) The odds of any single subpopulation going extinct increase when patches are close together.
3) Subpopulations fluctuate independently when the distance between decreases.
4) The metapopulation fluctuates as if it were a single population, regardless of distance between patches.

Answer 1

Decreased distance between habitat patches in a metapopulation leads to increased dispersal between patches, causing subpopulations of collared lizards to fluctuate more synchronously. Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a metapopulation of collared lizards, decreasing the distance between habitat patches affects the synchrony of fluctuations among lizard subpopulations by likely increasing the dispersal frequency between nearby patches. This increased dispersal leads to more synchronized fluctuations, as local subpopulations are more interconnected; their dynamics become more coupled.

Hence, the correct option is 1) Dispersal is more frequent between nearby patches, so subpopulations fluctuate synchronously. The mainland-island metapopulation model and a metapopulation where interacting populations are similar in size, as described by Hanski, show that such connectivity either through frequent migrations or by occasional movements prevents subpopulations from independent fluctuations and can allow recolonization after local extinctions. Elements like isolation, landscape connectivity, and habitat fragmentation play crucial roles in determining the persistence and diversity within the metapopulation.