Metacommunity Patch Dynamics

Levins metapopulation model extended to 2 competing species. Patches can be empty, occupied by species 1, species 2, or both. Colonization-extinction tradeoffs drive coexistence.

dp₁/dt = c₁p₁(1−p₁)−e₁p₁
dp₂/dt = c₂p₂(1−p₂)−e₂p₂

Colonization c₁: 0.40 Extinction e₁: 0.15 Colonization c₂: 0.25 Extinction e₂: 0.10 Competition α₁₂: 0.40 Competition α₂₁: 0.30 Grid size: 30

Empty patches: -
Sp. 1 only: -
Sp. 2 only: -
Both: -
p₁ (theory): -
p₂ (theory): -