Spatial assortment of mixed propagules explains the acceleration of range expansion
Date
2014-08
Authors
Ramanantoanina, Andriamihaja
Ouhinou, Aziz
Hui, Cang
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Abstract
Range expansion of spreading organisms has been found to follow three types: (i) linear expansion with a constant rate of
spread; (ii) bi-phase expansion with a faster linear expansion following a slower linear expansion; and (iii) accelerating
expansion with a continuously increasing rate of spread. To date, no overarching formula exists that can be applied to all
three types of range expansion. We investigated how propagule pressure, i.e., the initial number of individuals and their
composition in terms of dispersal ability, affects the spread of a population. A system of integrodifference equations was
then used to model the spatiotemporal dynamics of the population. We studied the dynamics of dispersal ability as well as
the instantaneous and asymptotic rate of spread. We found that individuals with different dispersal abilities were spatially
sorted with the stronger dispersers situated at the expanding range front, causing the velocity of expansion to accelerate.
The instantaneous rate of spread was found to be fully determined by the growth and dispersal abilities of the population at
the advancing edge of the invasion. We derived a formula for the asymptotic rate of spread under different scenarios of
propagule pressure. The results suggest that data collected from the core of the invasion may underestimate the spreading
rate of the population. Aside from better managing of invasive species, the derived formula could conceivably also be
applied to conservation management of relocated, endangered or extra-limital species.
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at www.plosone.org
Ramanantoanina, A., Ouhinou, A., & Hui, C. 2014. Spatial assortment of mixed propagules explains the acceleration of range expansion. PLoS ONE 9(8), e103409, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103409.
The original publication is available at www.plosone.org
Ramanantoanina, A., Ouhinou, A., & Hui, C. 2014. Spatial assortment of mixed propagules explains the acceleration of range expansion. PLoS ONE 9(8), e103409, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103409.
Keywords
Spatial assortment, Propagules, Range expansion, Plants -- Dispersal, Invasive plants -- Dispersal
Citation
Ramanantoanina, A., Ouhinou, A., & Hui, C. 2014. Spatial assortment of mixed propagules explains the acceleration of range expansion. PLoS ONE 9(8), e103409, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103409.