Biogeography Lecture Review

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary and concepts from the biogeography lecture, helping to reinforce understanding and facilitate exam preparation.

Biogeography

The study of the variation in species diversity and distribution across space.

Latitudinal Diversity Gradient

The pattern where species diversity varies by latitude, being highest in the tropics and decreasing towards the poles.

Historical Biogeography

The study of how past environmental factors have shaped current species distributions.

Vicariance

The geographical separation of a population, typically by a physical barrier, leading to speciation.

Long Distance Dispersal

A method of species distribution where organisms spread to distant locations, leading to speciation.

Theory of Island Biogeography

A theory that predicts species diversity based on island size and distance from a source population.

Energy Hypothesis

The idea that more solar energy in the tropics leads to higher photosynthesis, promoting greater biodiversity.

Earth History Hypothesis

The concept that tropical regions are older and have had more time for diversification due to continental drift.

Evolutionary History Hypothesis

The notion that low seasonality in tropical regions leads to faster generation times and rates of evolution.

Ecological Interactions Hypothesis

The theory that increased specialization and species interactions in the tropics contribute to higher biodiversity.

Species-Area Relationship

The principle that larger regions support more species due to more niche space and resources.

Equilibrium Number of Species

The number of species expected to exist on an island at equilibrium, determined by immigration and extinction rates.

Biogeography

The study of the variation in species diversity and distribution across space.

Latitudinal Diversity Gradient

The pattern where species diversity varies by latitude, being highest in the tropics and decreasing towards the poles.

Historical Biogeography

The study of how past environmental factors have shaped current species distributions.

Vicariance

The geographical separation of a population, typically by a physical barrier, leading to speciation.

Long Distance Dispersal

A method of species distribution where organisms spread to distant locations, leading to speciation.

Theory of Island Biogeography

A theory that predicts species diversity based on island size and distance from a source population.

Energy Hypothesis

The idea that more solar energy in the tropics leads to higher photosynthesis, promoting greater biodiversity.

Earth History Hypothesis

The concept that tropical regions are older and have had more time for diversification due to continental drift.

Evolutionary History Hypothesis

The notion that low seasonality in tropical regions leads to faster generation times and rates of evolution.

Ecological Interactions Hypothesis

The theory that increased specialization and species interactions in the tropics contribute to higher biodiversity.

Species-Area Relationship

The principle that larger regions support more species due to more niche space and resources.

Equilibrium Number of Species

The number of species expected to exist on an island at equilibrium, determined by immigration and extinction rates.

Immigration Rate (Island Biogeography)

The rate at which new species arrive on an island, generally higher for islands closer to a source population.

Extinction Rate (Island Biogeography)

The rate at which species disappear from an island, generally higher for smaller islands and existing species competition.