Research: Dispersal in structured landscapes
How does spatial structure shape the evolution of dispersal? What consequences does variation in dispersal have for population structure and connectivity?
Dispersal is an individual behavior that can have big consequences at the population level. We show that the dispersal strategies favored by individuals typically have a negative impact on population size and connectivity. We also show that individual differences in dispersal can either increase or decrease population connectivity (compared to a population of identical individuals), depending on the average dispersal distance. (Shaw, Jalasvuori & Kokko 2014)
Dispersal is an individual behavior that can have big consequences at the population level. We show that the dispersal strategies favored by individuals typically have a negative impact on population size and connectivity. We also show that individual differences in dispersal can either increase or decrease population connectivity (compared to a population of identical individuals), depending on the average dispersal distance. (Shaw, Jalasvuori & Kokko 2014)
Consequences of dispersala in a world with edges (adapted from Fig. 1 in Shaw, Jalasvuori & Kokko 2014).
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We studyied the dispersal of Minnesota prairie plant species, in a project funded by the Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Lab alum Lauren Sullivan is leading this work, and collaborating with Allison, and Dave Moeller with help from Katie Sperry. We used DNA parentage analysis of GPS-located individuals in order to measure how far offspring are moving from parents. Using this dispersal information we determined the connectivity of the current grassland fragments (both restored and remnant) in Northwest Minnesota. Read more on our project website. and in the CBS blog post.
Relevant papers
Gorton AJ, Shaw AK (2023) "Using theoretical models to explore dispersal variation and fragmentation in urban environments." Population Ecology 65(1): 17-24
Sullivan LL, Michalska-Smith MJ, Sperry KP, Moeller DA, Shaw AK (2021) "Consequences of ignoring dispersal variation in network models for landscape connectivity." Conservation Biology 35(3): 944-954.
Ashby BA, Shaw AK, Kokko H (2020) "An inordinate fondness for species with intermediate dispersal abilities." Oikos 129(3): 311-319.
Shaw AK, D'Aloia CC, Buston PA (2019) "The evolution of marine larval dispersal kernels in spatially structured habitats: analytical models, individual-based simulations, and comparisons with empirical estimates." American Naturalist 193(3): 424-435.
Sperry KP, Shaw AK, Sullivan LL (2019) "Apps can help bridge restoration science and restoration practice." Restoration Ecology 27:934-937.
Sullivan LL, Clark AT, Tilman D, Shaw AK (2018) "Mechanistically-derived dispersal kernels explain species-level patterns of recruitment and succession." Ecology 99(11): 2415-2420.
Shaw AK, Jalasvuori M, Kokko H (2014) "Population-level consequences of risky dispersal." Oikos 123(8): 1003–1013.
Sullivan LL, Michalska-Smith MJ, Sperry KP, Moeller DA, Shaw AK (2021) "Consequences of ignoring dispersal variation in network models for landscape connectivity." Conservation Biology 35(3): 944-954.
Ashby BA, Shaw AK, Kokko H (2020) "An inordinate fondness for species with intermediate dispersal abilities." Oikos 129(3): 311-319.
Shaw AK, D'Aloia CC, Buston PA (2019) "The evolution of marine larval dispersal kernels in spatially structured habitats: analytical models, individual-based simulations, and comparisons with empirical estimates." American Naturalist 193(3): 424-435.
Sperry KP, Shaw AK, Sullivan LL (2019) "Apps can help bridge restoration science and restoration practice." Restoration Ecology 27:934-937.
Sullivan LL, Clark AT, Tilman D, Shaw AK (2018) "Mechanistically-derived dispersal kernels explain species-level patterns of recruitment and succession." Ecology 99(11): 2415-2420.
Shaw AK, Jalasvuori M, Kokko H (2014) "Population-level consequences of risky dispersal." Oikos 123(8): 1003–1013.
