Geographic Ecology

Question 1

geographic ecology

Answer 1

large-scale pattern of distribution and diversity

- island biogeography, latitudinal patterns, regional and historical processes

Question 2

pattern of species richness on islands

Answer 2

species richness increases with area and decreases with isolation

• larger islands have more species
• isolated islands are further to travel to
• isolated habitats on mainlands can be called islands
• lakes can be seen as islands

Question 3

equilibrium model of island biogeography

Answer 3

species richness on islands can be modelled as a dynamic balance between immigration and extinction of species

• rate of immigration is impaired by distance from source
• rate of extinction is determined by island size

Question 4

latitudinal gradients and species richness

Answer 4

species richness increases from middle to high latitudes to the equator

1. time since perturbation
   e. productivity (climate) - evapotranspiration is higher
2. environmental heterogeneity
3. favourableness
4. niche breadths and interspecific interactions
5. differences in speciation and extinction rates

surface area (amount of land available)