International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 249-259 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 25 6 6.2 The combination of spatial heterogeneity and the individual-based model (IBM) Modern population dynamics modeling tends to use Individual-Based models (IBM) to simulate the impact of complex behaviors on populations. Among them, territorial behavior has been incorporated into several IBM for exploring the long-term dynamics of populations in spatially heterogeneous environments. IBM allows behavioral rules (such as territory establishment, intrusion and defense rules) to be set for each individual, and "gradually" simulates the interactions of a large number of individuals in space over time in the computer, thus giving rise to patterns at the population level. Case of onelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata): Researchers constructed an IBM to explore the long-term effects of electric shock death on the eagle population (Marques et al., 2024). The model sets each pair of adult eagles to occupy a territory for breeding, and when the young eagles grow up, they search for vacant territory in a limited space. In addition to birds and raptors, there have also been instances of incorporating local behavior into IBM in the infectious disease ecosystem. A model of disease transmission in felines introduced the territorial formation mechanism of "odor pheromone-guided movement" (White et al., 2020). 6.3 The significance of territoriality for long-term population succession prediction Incorporating a territorial perspective can make our predictions of the long-term dynamics and succession trends of species more reliable. Whether it is the rate of species climate migration, the recovery time of released populations, or the direction of community structure changes, territorial behavior will play a "hidden thread" role in all of them. For this reason, future ecological modeling and conservation planning should attach importance to territorial parameters, such as the constraint of territorial size on diffusion distance, the influence of territorial vacancy rate on reproductive output, etc. (Rueda et al., 2021). Some scholars have called for more cross-scale research to combine the habitat heterogeneity obtained by remote sensing with field behavior experiments to improve the estimation of territorial parameters, thereby enhancing the predictive ability of models for biological responses under rapid environmental changes (Ord, 2021). It can be foreseen that with the accumulation of relevant data, we will be able to answer more accurately: "In the era of global change, how fast can animals run and how far can they spread?" Does territoriality slow them down or speed them up?" These issues are crucial for formulating effective strategies for biodiversity conservation. 7 Application Perspective 7.1 Spatial requirements assessment in habitat conservation In habitat conservation work, the issue lies not only in "how much land needs to be protected", but also in "how much territory animals can actually utilize". This process involves several steps. Field investigations can reveal the average size and layout of the species' territory. When establishing protected areas, the land should be large enough not to be divided into too many small plots, so that each patch can accommodate at least one complete territory (Lopez-peinado et al., 2024). After that, a long-term test is needed to verify whether the plan is effective. For instance, the nesting usage and breeding success rate of raptors can be used to determine whether their territory is sufficient. If high-quality habitats are left vacant or reproduction decreases due to fierce competition, it may indicate that the protected area is too small in scale or under excessive external pressure. Territorial behavior can clearly reflect habitat quality and help guide spatial planning (Chen et al., 2023; Probst and Probst, 2025). 7.2 Behavioral adaptation issues in release and habitat restoration programs Territorial demands usually determine whether release or habitat restoration projects are effective. Before releasing animals, managers should check how much free space is available in the area, including new Spaces created by new resources, and then set the number of releases based on the situation (Rueda et al., 2021). The same rule also applies to habitat restoration. When new plants bring new space, before adding animals, it is crucial to check how much territory the space can accommodate (Marques et al., 2024). Behavior and genes also play a role. Captive animals may not know how to set up or defend their territory. Training them in semi-natural enclosures, allowing them to meet opponents and practice defense, can help them get ready before being released.
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