Dispersal Area's Impact on Population Survival

This paper investigates how the size of the dispersal area, where individuals can colonize, affects the critical point at which a population goes extinct. Understanding this relationship is crucial for understanding population dynamics and the evolution of dispersal strategies. The study uses a lattice model to simulate colonization and extinction, providing insights into how spatial factors influence population persistence.

• •Dispersal area significantly impacts the extinction threshold.
• •The relationship between dispersal area and extinction threshold follows universal scaling laws.
• •Selection pressures favor increased dispersal area, especially at low values.