Ecological and evolutionary consequences of temporal variation in dispersal

The importance of dispersal rates and distances has long been appreciated by ecologists evolutionary biologists. An emerging field research is revealing how temporal variation in can substantially influence ecological outcomes. We review temporally vary many ecosystems, a pattern that particularly well‐documented for aquatic organisms but likely pervasive terrestrial ecosystems as well. then synthesize the effects on five key processes: 1) metapopulation dynamics, 2) local adaptation, 3) range limits expansions, 4) species coexistence 5) metacommunity dynamics. Our demonstrates more than just statistical ‘noise' fact lead to different outcomes expected were constant. For example, increasing magnitude lower growth rates, permit greater facilitate accelerate expansion, increase regional coexistence, alter diversity. These inform conservation natural resource management decisions such prioritization spatial planning, spillover from domesticated or captive populations into native populations, design effective control strategies invasive species.