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Niche construction and polymorphism maintenance in metapopulations
Author(s) -
Hui Cang,
Yue Dongxia
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1007/s11284-004-0020-y
Subject(s) - metapopulation , niche , ecology , biology , genetic diversity , niche construction , evolutionary biology , ecosystem , habitat , population , biological dispersal , demography , sociology
Niche construction, a term referring to the modification of their environments by any organism, can profoundly influence the genetic dynamics and structure of a metapopulation. Through niche construction, we give the dynamics and spatial structure of genotype frequencies using one‐ and two‐dimensional metapopulation lattice models, and these models generate archipelago‐like structures in space through an ecological imprint in order to maintain polymorphism with low genetic load within demes, which do not need heterozygote superiority. With habitat deterioration and restoration, niche construction generates a threshold phenomenon and obstructs the changes in environments. Hence, in practice, restoration is a more difficult process than deterioration. Furthermore, niche construction may serve as an important mechanism for maintaining diversity in nature, including genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.