Table 1. Definition of the main notations.

Symbols	Description
General metapopulation
	Number of patches
	Carrying capacity of patch
	Total carrying capacity of the environment
	Relative carrying capacity of patch
M	Dispersal matrix
	Dispersal rate form patch to patch
	Input connection of patch
	Number of habitats
	Habitat type of patch
	Proportion of habitat in the environment
	Value of trait for phenotype (strategy)
	Population size of phenotype in patch at time
	Survival probability of phenotype in patch
	Optimal trait in habitat
	Habitat selectivity
	Differentiation between two habitats when only two habitats are present with
Hierarchical metapopulation
	Number of groups
	Number of patches per group
	Proportion of the propagules issued from a patch that are deposited in a given patch of another group
	Proportion of propagules that are deposited in another given patch of the same group
	Proportion of propagules that remain in their patch of origin
	Frequency of habitat in group
	Covariance between habitat group frequencies
	Variance of dispersal rates
Lattice metapopulation
	Mean dispersal range
	Aggregation index
	Proportion of habitat 2
Evolutionary speed
	Mutation variance
	Rate of mutation occurence
	Variability of the offspring distribution of an individual with trait
Post branching simulations
	Time to reach the singular strategy
	Trait values of the specialists
	Time taken to reach the
	Mean phenotype in patch at the end of simulations
	Level of local adaptation at the end of simulations