Island biogeography Flashcards
1
Q
When is equilibrium species richness established, and when does it occur?
A
When rate of colonizing = rate of local extinction.
It happens when then colonization and the extinction curves intersect.
2
Q
What are the two main factors that influence colonization and extinction rates?
A
- Distance from the mainland
- Island size
3
Q
What happens to colonization rates with increase in distance from mainland?
A
The colonization rates also decrease, because the further an island is, the harder it becomes to reach it.
4
Q
How are extinction rates affected by land size?
A
The larger the island is, the more resources it hosts, hence it has lower extinction rates.
5
Q
What is on the x and y axis of the island biogeography model?
A
x axis: Number of species
Y axis: Rate of colonization or extinction
