
When expansion stalls: an extension to the concept of range pinning in ecology
Author(s) -
MorelJournel Thibaut,
Haond Marjorie,
Lamy Laurent,
Muru David,
Roques Lionel,
Mailleret Ludovic,
Vercken Elodie
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/ecog.06018
Subject(s) - allee effect , biological dispersal , context (archaeology) , front (military) , range (aeronautics) , population , statistical physics , microcosm , ecology , stability (learning theory) , physics , biology , computer science , engineering , demography , paleontology , machine learning , sociology , meteorology , aerospace engineering
Identifying the factors modulating range expansion is essential to accurately predict changes in the spatial distribution of populations. By preventing population growth after dispersal, Allee effects can lead to front stops in discrete space, called 'pinning' if permanent. However, other mechanisms, such as positive density‐dependent dispersal, have also been shown to affect the rate of range expansion and generate discrete‐space front stops, albeit temporarily. In this study, we investigated the stability of the front stops generated by such mechanisms in relation to the carrying capacity of the environment. To this end, we performed artificial range expansions in discrete space using stochastic simulations and microcosm experiments. Simulation results confirmed that density‐dependent dispersal alone can generate sustained front stops, albeit for a limited range of carrying capacities. We also highlighted the synergy between Allee effects and density‐dependent dispersal on pinning emergence. Experimental results, obtained using a model species known to exhibit density‐dependent dispersal, but without Allee effects, confirmed the model results. Furthermore, our study raises the issue of carefully considering the conditions for pinning stability, in a stochastic context and depending on the time‐scale considered.