Abstract: Spatial ecology has recently attracted more and more interest from a wide range of ecologists. The theory and methodology of metapopulation ecology is an important part in this field, with which a dramatic increase of publications has dealed in the recent two to three years. Several important monographs were also published. The case studies on the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia L.) by Hanski et al., has been reviewed and combined with our own experience. By understanding the approaches being utilized, the type of data gathered, the ways to analyze the data, and the features of the results obtained, this paper seeks to analyze the actual meanings, features and the applied prospects of metapopulation theory and methodology.

Key words: metapopulation, Glanville fritillary butterfly, features and prospects of application