Island Biogeography

Theory of Island Biogeography

A theory that explains how different aspects of an island affect the number and types of species that can inhabit it.

NPP (Net Primary Productivity)

The amount of energy available to support species on an island, influenced by latitude.

Island Size

A characteristic that affects the number of species an island can support, with larger islands generally supporting more species.

Distance from Mainland

The proximity of an island to the mainland, affecting the rate of species immigration and extinction.

Equilibrium Point

The intersection of immigration and extinction rates that estimates the number of species an island can support.

Resource Partitioning

A strategy where species specialize to utilize different resources, allowing them to coexist in limited environments.

Explosive Speciation

Rapid evolution of a large number of species from a single ancestor, as seen in African cichlid fishes.

Island Gigantism

The phenomenon where species grow larger on islands due to the absence of large predators.

Island Dwarfism

The phenomenon where species become smaller on islands due to limited resources and lack of large predators.

Bottom-Up Pressure

The influence of resource availability on the population dynamics of species, particularly in isolated ecosystems.

Habitat Conservation

The practice of protecting natural habitats to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

SLOSS (Single Large or Several Small)

A conservation debate regarding whether a single large reserve or multiple small reserves is more effective for biodiversity.

Golden-Cheeked Warbler

A species that benefits from large habitat areas to avoid predation from the brown-headed cowbird.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that can outcompete endemic species, often introduced by human activities.

Connectivity of Habitats

The importance of linking habitats to support a larger number of species and maintain ecological balance.