What Factors Influence Biodiversity? Flashcards
Climate
Extreme climates - less biodiversity due to more limiting factors. Linked with this comes altitude, relief, water and humidity.
Climate affects soil and is affected by global warming
Endemism (global factor)
Unique biodiversity due to isolated species limited to that area for breeding.
Caused by continental drift from super continent Pangea. Key example being Galapagos.
Physical environment
Factors such as habitat heterogeneity and habitat architecture.
Human impacts
Destructive actions such as conflict, deforestation, agriculture and building affect it.
With agriculture comes pesticides and fertilisers affecting soil.
Biodiversity is greatest in the least disturbed areas.
Habitat heterogeneity (regional)
Varied physical environment will harbour greater biodiversity as it provides a wider range of habitats for more species.
Altitudinal range (global)
Large range means a cross section of different climates. The more climate zones involved, the more disperse the habitats. This also applies to ocean depth.
Habitat architecture (regional)
High primary productivity encourages the development of a complex trophic pyramid with many environmental niches. This is capable of supporting high levels of biodiversity.
Succession (local)
As species establish themselves and interact and subtly alter their environments then biodiversity increases.
Over time BD increases with the immigration and establishment of species leading to succession.
Productivity (regional)
High temp and humidity, rich supply of nutrients and photosynthesis encourage high productive and thus lots of energy. For example in the rainforest and coral reefs. Factors such as cold and aridity reduce the range and numbers of species.
Interaction between species (local)
Leads to competition between species which may drive certain species to extinction, especially when exotic species are introduced.
