Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-07-28T19:07:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Rosana Talita Braga - 2016.pdf: 2100004 bytes, checksum: 888ddcc97f7af7b38c2dc63d5383d0d7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-01T13:19:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Rosana Talita Braga - 2016.pdf: 2100004 bytes, checksum: 888ddcc97f7af7b38c2dc63d5383d0d7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-01T13:19:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Rosana Talita Braga - 2016.pdf: 2100004 bytes, checksum: 888ddcc97f7af7b38c2dc63d5383d0d7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Spatial patterns of population abundance: a review of predictions and theoretical models in ecology and biogeography: The search for mechanisms influencing population demographic patterns has continuously increased. The early models described how closed populations performed, considering only local demographic attributes. However, the spatial configuration and dispersal rates in demographic patterns become determinant factors for understanding patterns of distribution and abundance. As a result, spatially explicit models have been improved to be analytically tractable by using computer simulations. Because species are not infinitely disperse, here I investigated the theoretical predictions to understand what determine range boundaries and distribution patterns, as well as abundance patterns over species ranges. I conclude that empirical studies are crucial to a more accurate understanding of population dynamics along space and time to validate the theoretical predictions made about the geographic distribution of species. / Ao longo da história da ecologia, predições e modelos teóricos sobre mecanismos estruturadores dos padrões demográficos populacionais se intensificaram. Inicialmente, os modelos desenvolvidos ocupavam-se em descrever como populações fechadas se comportavam considerando unicamente atributos demográficos que ocorrem localmente. Posteriormente, tornou-se claro que considerar também a configuração do espaço bem como as taxas de dispersão nos modelos demográficos eram fatores determinantes para compreender padrões de distribuição e abundância. Diante destes avanços, modelos espacialmente explícitos vêm sendo desenvolvidos e aprimorados, sendo eles analiticamente tratáveis ou provenientes de simulações computacionais. Como as espécies não se dispersam infinitamente, elucidei também predições teóricas sobre o que determina o limite de distribuição geográfica (distribuição geográfica) e que padrões de distribuição de abundância são esperados ao longo da distribuição geográfica de uma espécie. Testes empíricos para aprimorar a compreensão da dinâmica populacional (temporal e espacial) é urgentemente necessária para validar as predições teóricas feitas a respeito da distribuição geográfica das espécies.

The study of landscape structure and configuration is firmly established as integral to the continued advancement of ecology. The configuration of resource patches can have far-reaching implications for biodiversity, metapopulation dynamics, community structure, and habitat quality. Human activities, such as forestry, agriculture, and residential construction alter patch configuration by breaking larger patches into smaller fragments. This frequently results in pronounced, unforeseen consequences for species. The fragmentation and shrinking of habitat patches can lead to changes in the environmental conditions within the remaining patches (e.g., degradation), prompting responses from local populations. These responses can, in turn, cause changes to the metapopulation structure on large spatial scale.<br>I examined the relationship between the degree of habitat fragmentation (edge density), and forewing lengths of the ebony jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx maculata Beauvois, Odonata: Calopterygidae). I used correlated random walks to determine the biologically relevant landscape area over which forest fragmentation was calculated. Then, I used Moran’s I to determine the spatial scale of wing length response to fragmentation. I found that wing lengths increased with edge density. I also found that wing lengths were spatially autocorrelated at distances below 5 Km. These findings suggest that damselflies adapt to changes in forest fragmentation at a relatively small spatial scale.<br>Next, I assessed the slime mold Physarum polycephalum’s usefulness as a microcosm of dispersal in fragmented landscapes. Slime mold plasmodia were placed in dishes with oat patches of varying sizes and distances. The probability of each patch type being colonized first was compared to predictions of patch occupancy based on C. maculata. Patches that were nearer or larger were likely to be colonized before patches that were more distant, or smaller. Observed patch occupancy matched model predictions when only patch distance was varied, but not when patch size was varied. These results suggest that P. polycephalum has the potential to serve as a useful microcosm of dispersal in patchy landscapes. However, more testing is needed to develop the microcosm system. <br>Finally, a lesson plan was developed to teach high school students about the concepts of landscape ecology and connectivity. An emphasis was placed on using active learning techniques, which have been demonstrated to result in greater understanding than traditional lecture formats. The lesson plan incorporates an education boardgame, Humans & Habitats, that I developed to illustrate how the conflicting goals of resource managers impact habitat connectivity. It also incorporates a scientific inquiry activity that uses P. polycephalum to test predictions about the effect of altered connectivity. The lesson plan and materials will be available to members of the public, free of charge.<br><br>