Application of a Metapopulation Approach for Analysis of Space-Time Population Dynamics (case study using ungulates)

This paper is devoted to the analysis of basic regularities in spatialdynamics of the wild boar (Sus scrofa ussuricus Heude, 1888) and the red deer(Cervus elaphus xanthopigus Milne-Edwards, 1867) numbers in the Russian MiddleAmur area, on the example of the Jewish Autonomous Region. We research amodel of space-time metapopulation dynamics based on a coupled map lattice. Weuse the metapopulation approach for quantitative analysis of migration activity forthe wild boar and the red deer populations. Using the model estimates of migrationand reproductive parameters we described the main migration routes of thesepopulations. It is shown that individuals of wild boar population migrate strongerthan individuals of red deer population. It is demonstrated the maximumreproduction subpopulations of ungulates metapopulation were characterized byhighest out-migration of individuals and stable non-zero number of thesubpopulations with minimal reproduction rate were supported only immigrants.