Consequences of Animal Disperal in Fragmanted Landscapes: an experimental approach

Theory suggests that increased animal dispersal between isolated habitat patches can enhance important ecological processes, and that these consequences may depend on the densities of populations in the patches that are colonised. Unfortunately, there have been few empirical tests of this notion because most fragmented landscapes are unsuitable for rigorous experimental designs. I propose to address this gap in knowledge by using a small common garden skink as a model experimental system. This study will test a diverse array of hypotheses which have received little empirical investigation, but also will have significant ramifications for management and conservation of fragmented landscapes.