Theory 56/Networks & Connectivity/Metapopulations
Persistence Needs Connectivity
The claim
Metapopulation persistence is set by the ratio of colonisation to extinction rate, which is governed by connectivity, not by patch count.
01Mechanism
Occupancy is an equilibrium; connectivity sets colonisation, and isolated patches are lost regardless of how many exist.
02Prediction
Persistence should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Persistence tracking patch number would remove connectivity.