Fig. 1 | Nature Communications

Fig. 1

From: Dispersal homogenizes communities via immigration even at low rates in a simplified synthetic bacterial metacommunity

Fig. 1

Proposed ecological mechanisms by which dispersal can homogenize a metacommunity. a Dispersal homogenizes a metacommunity indirectly, by weakening selection across habitats via transfer of material, and only after selection is weakened. In this case, the critical dispersal rate required for homogenization (Dc) is high. b Dispersal homogenizes a metacommunity directly via immigration of individuals and the metacommunity is homogenized before selection is weakened. In this case, Dc is lower than in scenario A and depends on the ratio between growth and immigration of individuals. In both scenarios, Dc will depend on how strongly selection and dispersal are coupled

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