Biogeography and Biodiversity

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to biogeography, species distribution, and biodiversity as discussed in the lecture.

Evolutionary History

Refers to when and where a species originated and its subsequent changes over time.

Biogeographic Regions

Areas of the Earth containing characteristic species assemblages, separated by barriers.

Plate Tectonics

The geological process that explains the movement of the Earth's plates, influencing species distribution.

Vicariance

A process where a physical barrier forms that prevents dispersal, dividing a species into two or more populations.

Dispersal

The movement of individuals from a population across a barrier to establish a new population.

Latitudinal Diversity Gradient

The pattern showing that species diversity is generally higher in the tropics and decreases at higher latitudes.

Species-Area Relationship

The ecological principle that larger areas tend to support more species.

Island Biogeography

The study of the balance between immigration and extinction rates that determines species diversity on islands.

Habitat Fragmentation

The process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, affecting biodiversity.

Edge Effects

Changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two habitats, often leading to reduced diversity.

Species Diversification Rate Hypothesis

Suggests that higher speciation rates and lower extinction rates in the tropics contribute to increased biodiversity.

Productivity Hypothesis

Proposes that higher productivity in certain environments promotes species diversity by providing more resources.

Alfred Russel Wallace

Naturalist whose observations in the Malay Archipelago laid the foundation for modern biogeography.

Geographic Isolation

Occurs when species become separated by barriers, leading to evolutionary divergence.

Edge Effects Mitigation

Methods of conservation aimed at reducing the negative impacts caused by habitat boundaries.