Sequences of patch disturbance in a spatial eco-evolutionary model

An eco-evolutionary food web model assembles two heterogeneous meta-communities on a 6 X 6 spatial network, which are subjected to a series of patch disturbances that either kill or evict the local population. If patch destruction is permanent, displacement of affected populations is as severe as eliminating them. If re-colonisation of cleared patches is permitted, the meta-community can endure repeated displacement indefinitely but with limited biodiversity. Whether repeated elimination of local populations can be endured depends on the rules governing migration. In meta-communities composed of rare, low-range species, displacing the inhabitants of low-diversity individual patches can be more damaging to global biodiversity than eliminating them, demonstrating the destructive potential of small invasions and the need for careful efforts when relocating endangered populations.