Lichen colonization patterns show minor effects of dispersal distance at landscape scale

• DOI: 10.1111/ecog.01047
• Publication Date: 2014-12-23T03:06:33Z
• Authors: Ivar Gjerde; Hans H. Blom; Einar Heegaard; Magne Sætersdal
• Keywords: Metapopulation; Propagule; Insular biogeography; Chronosequence; Epiphyte; Distance decay; Colonisation

The role of dispersal in controlling the distribution species at landscape scale (10 2 –10 4 m) is still a matter dispute. Here, we use early colonization pattern 23 epiphytic lichen former tree‐less heathland (170 km ) to test three hypotheses on how colonized: A) mainly by long‐distance (LDD), B) rare LDD events followed limited local dispersal, and C) resulting front. study system consisted chronosequence 94 habitat patches constituting 0.4% area, with minimum inter‐site distance 0.2 km. We used generalized linear mixed models Bayesian inference predictions from hypotheses. When age sites area were accounted for, additional effects geographical position (distance old sites, distance‐dependent relative propagule pressure, border area) probability small. Furthermore, richness did not depend position, either. Our results support process governed scale, that stepwise was important. argue passively dispersed numerous small propagules tend exhibit patchy populations extensive rather than behaving like classical metapopulations.