Seasonal density-dependence can select for partial migrants in migratory
species
- Jin Liu
, - Zhengwang Zhang,
- Tim Coulson
![](https://d197for5662m48.cloudfront.net/assets/icons/omniauth/orcid-ca37582cd91a671ed5cec57770e0e96c01b4b79b8b5b75d8598fc1ddac18c974.svg)
Abstract
Whether individuals migrate or not is rapidly shifting in many
populations. Exactly how and why environmental change alters migration
propensity is not well understood. We conducted a systematic literature
review to gain insights into the mechanisms that affect the propensity
to migrate. Motivated by findings from our literature review, we
constructed density-dependent structured population models to explore
the coexistence of migrants and non-migrants, when they coexist, and
when they do not. We find that carrying capacity in a seasonal
environment determines the dominant type in the population. Partial
migration can be maintained, or not, depending on where in the life
cycle density-dependent operates. Bet-hedging also promotes partial
migration. Our study disentangles density-dependence and
density-independence in seasonal environments, providing insights into
the coexistence of polymorphism, potentially explaining the rapid change
in migration strategy observed.31 Aug 2023Submitted to Ecology Letters 05 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
05 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
05 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned