Dispersal and metapopulation ecology in Odonata

Abstract

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of dispersal in odonates and discusses how their biology makes them a potential model system for studying the dispersal process as well as its ecological and evolutionary consequences. It begins by briefly discussing the methods for studying dispersal in odonates and then it presents an overview of how dispersal shapes odonate population biology and species’ distributions. It goes on to discuss how various areas of anthropogenic change affect dispersal and colonization, and the associated implications for odonate conservation. Finally, the chapter closes with a discussion of promising new research directions in the study of odonate dispersal.