Niche construction and polymorphism maintenance in metapopulations

Niche construction, a term referring to the modification of their environments by any organism, can profoundly influence the genetic dynamics and structure of a metapopulation. Through niche construction, we give the dynamics and spatial structure of genotype frequencies using one- and two-dimensional metapopulation lattice models, and these models generate archipelago-like structures in space through an ecological imprint in order to maintain polymorphism with low genetic load within demes, which do not need heterozygote superiority. With habitat deterioration and restoration, niche construction generates a threshold phenomenon and obstructs the changes in environments. Hence, in practice, restoration is a more difficult process than deterioration. Furthermore, niche construction may serve as an important mechanism for maintaining diversity in nature, including genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.

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