Metapopulation or predictable pattern of extinction?

In our research paper (van Oort, McLellan & Serrouya 2011), we investigated the spatial structure of an endangered herbivore, the mountain caribou of southeastern British Columbia. These animals are in decline and were recently found in 18 seemingly isolated subpopulations (Wittmer et al. 2005), of which 16 remained in 2010. Using radio telemetry on 358 adult and 26 juvenile animals, we found two females and no juveniles moved between subpopulations. We also used an objective method to define summer ranges within subpopulations and then calculated rates of dispersal between these occupied patches. We found (1) that the mountain caribou populations are considerably more fragmented than previously recognized; (2) that dispersal between population units is likely insufficient to provide demographic rescue for small or extirpated subpopulations. Although the geographical distribution of these animals, with relatively larger subpopulations towards the north and much smaller and more isolated subpopulations towards the south, may suggest a metapopulation, we concluded that it is more likely the predictable pattern of the extinction process. Our study was not specifically concerned with determining how caribou dispersal decisions are made or why dispersal rates were observed to be so low. Range shifting and expansion (and sometimes amalgamation with other herds) is likely the primary method of ‘dispersal’ (Hinkes et al. 2005; Boulet et al. 2007), as was documented for the Mulchatna herd (Hinkes et al. 2005). Range shifting may not constitute classic dispersal as defined by the three phases (Ims & Hjermann 2001) mentioned by Morales (2011). Indeed, we are not certain if the process of range shifting and expansion should be called dispersal at all – individuals may disperse from where they were born to another location but do not leave their natal population, although this process can provide gene flow between previously isolated populations. We suggested that complete dispersal behaviour, where individuals leave both the location of their birth and their natal population, is unlikely to be common in animals such as caribou that have adapted to living in very large social groups. As such we speculated that the low dispersal rate (changing area and social group) is characteristic of this species. As pointed out by Forester (2011) and Beckmann (2011), caribou dispersal rates may be density dependent and our result may simply reflect the diminished size of our subpopulations. This agrees with the view that dispersal only occurs when herds are sufficiently large enough to expand their range (Hinkes et al. 2005). Our paper dealt with diminishing populations (not expanding), but we did observe two cases of classic dispersal, where females left their (presumed) natal subpopulation, moved to a new area and became established in a different social group. It is possible that the dispersal rates measured for this mode of dispersal change when caribou density increases. To avoid inbreeding, dispersal could be greater in small populations but conversely, dispersal could be larger for high-density populations to avoid resource competition. Research into the details of density dependent dispersal is best addressed where caribou are abundant, but is more academic where numbers are small and they are going extinct. An assumption made by Beckmann’s (2011) critique is that caribou populations have been fragmented by habitat degradation. Apps & McLellan (2006) used landscape features and occupancy indices at two spatial scales to compare (1) where caribou remain to their historic distribution; (2) the relative intensity of occupancy within occupied subpopulations. Beckmann’s assumption is partially supported at the scale of subpopulations (see Apps &McLellan 2006), but less so at the scale of summer/fall composite ranges. Summer/fall composite ranges were generally located in subalpine habitat where there is little or no forestry or other human impacts. Most summer/fall composite ranges of mountain caribou ranges are, not surprisingly, in mountains and these ranges are naturally severed by valleys 41000m lower but some are also separated by pristine subalpine habitat that is no longer occupied. In many cases,