The data stored in this collection were collected during a series of 3 experiments I conducted between 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effects of population-level extinction within spatial population networks.
For each experiment, I used experimental protozoan population networks (microcosms) that used the common pond species Paramecium caudatum as the focal organism. Each network contained five populations aligned linearly and connected to one another through a migration corridor (see image files).
The experiments were similar in their basic methods. For example, each experiment consisted of three 10-day periods: pre-extinction, extinction, and reestablishment. In addition, each experiment used 8 networks: four treatment networks and four control networks. During the 10-day extinction period, extinction was maintained on the center population of 4 treatment networks. During the reestablishment period, the center population was allowed to reestablish. The 4 control networks had no extinction imposed.
During each experiment I estimated the density of each population within all networks daily as the mean number of paramecia captured in three 0.25 mL samples. The data included in these files shows these density estimates. All calculations used to assess changes in population abundance and dynamics due to extinction were derived from these density estimates.
Additional background for each of the 3 experiments (e.g., how the experiments differed) can be found in the ReadMe file. Detailed methods and results from each of these experiments are documented in Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of my dissertation (see Dissertation file).
