• A set of local populations linked together through dispersal
• Individuals live in separated clumps or demes (the whole being a metapopulation
• A network of semi-isolated populations with some level of regular or intermittent migration and gene flow among them, in which individual population may go extinct but then be recolonized from other population.
• A model of population structures whereby each patch of habitat contains a different subpopulation of a species, and a group of different patch populations is collectively called metapopulation.

Metapopulation Theory

• Population of population
• Dynamics of sets of semi-independent populations connected by dispersal
• Spathal ecological theory
• Metapopulation Persistence
• Colonization must be above critical threshold then average extinction rate of subpopulation in patches
• Extinction must be below a critical threshold than colonization rate

So, corridors or other means of dispersal among patches is important

Classic Metapopulation

• Patches are roughly equal in size
• Dispersal distances are comparable to the distances among patches
• Population that fluctuate and go extinct independently but are reconnected by recolonization

Patchy Population

• Patches are closes together to dispersal with individuals moving freely within freely within dished line, so that the patch as collectively supports a single population.

Main Island Metapopulation

• Patches are so unequal in size and most or all turn offers occur in very small population.

New Equilibrium Metapopulation

• Patches are very relatively to dispersal distances, so that populations are not interconnected.