Objective
Within a fragmented population, dispersal affects the local demography of habitable patches, which in turn influences individual dispersal decisions. Despite growing interest in the demographic consequences or in the demographic causes of dispersal, a merging between these two aspects of the same problem is still awaited.
This project aims at developing a comprehensive view of the feedback loop between local demography and dispersal. We will use the root vole Microtus oeconomus as a model system to conduct both experimental and theoretical research on two crucial components of the feedback loop, namely the population age and sex structure.
In the experimental part of the project, we will set up two yearly experiments on the relationships between dispersal and local demography in patches contrasted by age structure (first experiment) or sex structure (second experiment). These manipulations will employ large fragmented landscapes maintained at the Evenstad Research Station (SE Norway) of the University of Oslo.
In the theoretical part of the project, we will develop and parameterise patch and stage specific population matrix models describing our experimental system. These models will help us to reconstruct patch dynamics during the breeding season and to obtain predictions on the inter-annual demography of our experimental landscapes. The relevance of our experimental and theoretical results will be highlighted by a broad review of the literature on the subject in vertebrates.
Our project will be networked with ecological centres working on dispersal and demography with different vertebrate models (University of Tromso, University of Aberdeen, University of Paris VI). This basic research could constitute a foundation for new conservation, management and harvesting rules of natural populations.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European FellowshipsCoordinator
1072 OSLO
Norway