Spatial structure in ecology: the effects of dispersal network structure on biodiversity pattern and stability in metacommunities

Ecological dynamics typically take place at a large spatial scale. However, it has been challenging to study them at a scale as large as a country, continent, or ocean. In particular, while there are many studies that consider systems with multiple local patches (known as "metacommunities"), spatial structures assumed in these studies are mostly simple or focused on a particular structure, despite the diverse landscape structures seen in nature. Thus, to understand how spatial structures affect metacommunities in nature, we need to expand our understanding of the role of spatial structure in regulating biodiversity patterns and stability across diverse spatial structures. In my study, I addressed this issue by using computer simulation with theoretical and empirical spatial structures. In this talk, I will show how the use of computational tools and network theoretical concepts aided investigating unexplored aspects of spatial structure and dissecting the complex nature of spatial network structure. Results suggest that how dispersal pathways are distributed in the network space affects total diversity, and the number of patches in a metacommunity is the dominant spatial parameter that regulate stability. Such an improved understanding of the role of spatial structure could contribute to a better conservation planning as well.