Abstract: Metapopulation is an important object for study in Spatial Ecology. The theory of Metapopulation, which took shape in the later part of the 20th century, is a very important ecological theory. This paper contends that the theory of Metapopulation can guide studies of urban slums. It also discusses how to apply the theory to such studies. The Levins model was applied to fit a group of computed numbers based on the 1978-2005 population data from the 2006 Beijing yearbook. The computed numbers were the ratios of the migrants in Beijing by the natives in Beijing from 1978 to 2005, approximating the p values in the different years. The resulting fitting curve was satisfying, confirming the reasonableness in treating such ratios as approximate p values. Furthermore, the invading parameter of m and the exterminating parameter of e were both obtained, making it possible to take the Levins model to analyze, predict, and study the dynamics of the poor people living in urban slums. Lastly, a new method of computing a value, which is an important constant in the Allee-like effect when studying urban slums at the Metapopulation level, is explained in the paper.

Key words:

Metapopulation, urban slums, urban ecology, Allee-like effect