Population dispersion

Dispersion is the pattern of spacing among the individuals within the population. Basically there are three patterns.

-          Clumped dispersion

-          Uniform(regular) dispersion

-          Random dispersion

Clumped

·         Commonest pattern that can observed in populations.

·         Individuals are bunched into groups within the population.

·         This is mainly results from the response to the unevenly distributed resources in their environment.

·         Also there are positive interactions between the individuals.

·         This supplies many advantages to the population such as protection from predators, reproduce and increase the population size and decrease the energetic cost of moving to do work.

Uniform

·         Individuals are uniformly spaced within the population.

·         Mainly results from the competition for resources.

·         Therefore there are aggressive interactions between the neighbours.

Random

·         Individuals are randomly spaced within the community.

·         Not that much common in nature.

·         This occurs as there are no strong interactions between the individuals.

·         They show neutral interactions.