Test of mathematical assumptions behind the `incidence functionʹ estimation process of metapopulationsʹ dynamic parameters

I question Hanskiʹs [I. Hanski, A practical model of metapopulation dynamics, J. Animal Ecol. 63 (1994) 151] assumption that incidence functions are relevant approximations of the equilibrium dynamics of stochastic metapopulation models to estimate modelsʹ parameters based on snapshot data. Based on ten different metapopulation models, this assumption is found to be at least partly unjustified when referring to the asymptotic behaviour of the models. This leads me to recommend the use of explicit extinction–colonisation transition probabilities and process data (rather than snapshot data) in the estimation process of metapopulation models.