21 - ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY

Island Biogeography

A field of ecology that studies the distribution and abundance of species on islands.

Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography

A model developed by MacArthur and Wilson to explain how the number of species on an island is determined by immigration and extinction rates.

Turnover

The replacement of one species by another on an island, which can be tracked by census.

Colonization

The process in which an immigrant species breeds at least once on an island.

Extinction (local)

When a colonist species on an island is no longer able to reproduce.

Species-Area Hypothesis

The concept that larger islands typically have more species due to increased habitat diversity and lower extinction rates.

Distance from source

A factor that affects species richness on islands, indicating that islands closer to a source pool tend to have higher species numbers.

SLOSS debate

The discussion regarding whether it is better to have a single large nature reserve or several small ones for conservation purposes.

Biotic corridors

Movement pathways that allow species to travel between habitat fragments, potentially enhancing biodiversity.

Diversity

The variety of species within a given habitat or ecosystem, which can be affected by habitat size and isolation.