SimUText: Biogeography

allopatric speciation

when populations of the same species become geographically isolated due to a vicariance or founder event

vicariance event

population is physically split by geologic or geomorphic processes

sympatric speciation

when one species evolves into two species without ever being physically separated

latitudinal gradients

species richness declines moving away from the equator towards the poles

because the earth is round, the intensity of solar radiation is lower in where than near where

in poles than near the equator

what creates seasonality

the tilt of the earth’s axis relative to its orbital plane

hadley cells

atmospheric circulation cell driven by heating of earth’s surface at the equator

coriolis effect

the apparent deflection of objects moving across a rotating sphere

large-scale air circulation patterns tend to create what

a band of wet areas near the equator and deserts to the north and south of the equator

α diversity

local species richness

β diversity

change in species composition from one site to another

γ diversity

regional species richness