Features Added to RAMAS Metapop in Version 2.0

Also see: New Features in RAMAS Metapop 3.0

• Allows up to 100 different stage matrices, each of which can be assigned to any number of populations. Stage matrices can be specified manually (as in version 1.1), or automatically (by multiplying elements of the default matrix with constants).
• Incorporates any temporal change in average carrying capacity, average fecundity or average survival for each population. Temporal changes are specified as ASCII files that contain a time series of the parameter for a specific population.
• Summarizes the characteristics of each stage matrix, including:
  • Finite rate of increase (i.e, the eigenvalue),
  • Stable stage/age distribution (both numerical and graphical),
  • Stage-specific reproductive values (both numerical and graphical),
  • Sensitivity and elasticity matrices,
  • Average residence times in each stage.

These summaries can be displayed on screen, printed or saved to a disk file.

• Can combine stage structure from one model with spatial structure from another model.
• Calculates "local occupancy" for any threshold level. The abundance above which a patch is defined as "occupied" (called local threshold) can be specified by the user for each population; the default is 0.
• Has three options for tallying individuals below the local threshold in a population: count them in the total metapopulation abundance (but count the population as "unoccupied"), don't count them in the total (but keep them), or assume that they are dead (set population abundance to zero).
• Outputs a new type of result: Local extinction duration, which is the maximum number of consecutive time steps during which a population remained unoccupied (below local threshold defined by user).
• Supports a large variety of printers, including Postscript, PaintJet and DeskJet.
• Can print in landscape or portrait mode, with low, medium or high resolution.
• Supports ports LPT1 through LPT4, and COM1 through COM4.
• Allows printing the plots to a file, instead of directly to the printer. The file can then be printed outside the program. This allows transferring files to other computers, and getting around network restrictions.
• Saves plots as graphics files, in formats such as PCX (PC Paintbrush), BMP (Windows Bitmap), IMG (GEM Paint), TIF (Tagged Image), CGM (Metafile), DXF (AutoCad), WMF (Windows metafile), and WPG (Word Perfect). This allows exporting plots and maps to applications such as Freelance or Hijaak.