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Questions and Answers
What does the species-area curve illustrate in terms of biodiversity?
What does the species-area curve illustrate in terms of biodiversity?
Which of the following factors can influence species richness from regional to global levels?
Which of the following factors can influence species richness from regional to global levels?
What effect does habitat fragmentation generally have on edge habitats?
What effect does habitat fragmentation generally have on edge habitats?
What does the variable 'z' represent in the species-area formula S = cAZ?
What does the variable 'z' represent in the species-area formula S = cAZ?
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How do oceanic islands generally differ from continental islands regarding species richness?
How do oceanic islands generally differ from continental islands regarding species richness?
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What theory relates island size and isolation to bird species richness?
What theory relates island size and isolation to bird species richness?
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Where is the monkey bridge, an example of a corridor for wildlife, located?
Where is the monkey bridge, an example of a corridor for wildlife, located?
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What pattern describes the highest biodiversity being near the equator?
What pattern describes the highest biodiversity being near the equator?
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Which region is suspected to have undergone glaciation affecting species diversity?
Which region is suspected to have undergone glaciation affecting species diversity?
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Which example shows how corridor design can facilitate wildlife movement?
Which example shows how corridor design can facilitate wildlife movement?
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Which of the following factors is NOT part of the Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography?
Which of the following factors is NOT part of the Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography?
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What is the expected biodiversity trend as one moves from the equator towards the poles?
What is the expected biodiversity trend as one moves from the equator towards the poles?
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In which area is a higher bird species count reported compared to the Rutherford County, TN?
In which area is a higher bird species count reported compared to the Rutherford County, TN?
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Study Notes
Landscape Ecology and Global Biodiversity
- Species Richness - The number of species within an area is influenced by regional and global factors.
Legacy Effects of Humans
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Roman Villages in France provide insights into long-term human impacts on the environment.
- Calcium and Phosphorus levels in the soil were altered by Roman agricultural practices.
- Introduced Plants spread and thrived due to human activities.
Species–Area Curve
- West Indies Islands display a clear relationship: more extensive islands house more species of amphibians and reptiles.
- Southeast Asian Birds exhibit a similar pattern, with larger areas supporting greater bird diversity.
Comparing Island Types
- Oceanic Islands tend to have fewer species than Continental Islands due to their isolation.
- Cedar Glades, Lakes, and Mountain Tops all demonstrate a link between area and species richness.
Wetlands in Ontario, Canada
- Wetlands in Ontario show a strong positive correlation with biodiversity, reflecting the importance of these ecosystems.
Species–Area Curve Equation
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S = cAZ - This equation describes the relationship between Species (S) and Area (A).
- c represents a constant.
- z represents the slope of the curve, indicating the rate of increase in species number with increasing area.
Habitat Fragmentation
- Contiguous Forests are transformed into Islands of Forests through human activities, disrupting natural habitats.
- Species Richness decreases with habitat fragmentation, particularly impacting species dependent on large areas.
Fragmentation of Terrestrial Habitats
- Flooding of Lago Guri, Venezuela provides a notable example of habitat fragmentation on a massive scale.
Edge Effects
- Habitat Fragmentation creates Edges between fragmented habitats and the surrounding matrix.
- Environmental Changes occur at edges, like increased wind exposure and altered light conditions.
- Interior Birds may be forced to nest near edges due to habitat loss, leading to increased predation.
Nest Predation and Brood Parasitism
- Nest Predation Rates are higher along edges of fragmented habitats.
- Brood Parasitism, where parasites lay eggs in other species' nests, is also more prevalent at edges, as exemplified by the Brown-headed Cowbird.
Nature Preserve Design
- Building Corridors between fragmented habitats can mitigate negative impacts, enabling species to move between protected areas.
Island Biogeography Theory
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Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography (Late 1960s) explains how both Habitat Area and Isolation influence species diversity on islands.
- Robert H. MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson are credited with developing this theory.
Island Area & Isolation Impact
- Islands at various distances from New Guinea Island showcase the link between isolation and bird species richness.
- Mountaintop Mammals in the Southwestern United States demonstrate the influence of both area and isolation on biodiversity.
Achieving an Equilibrium Number of Species
- Island Size, Isolation, Immigration Rates, and Extinction Rates interact to determine the Equilibrium Number of Species on an island.
Latitudinal Diversity Gradient (LDG)
- Biodiversity is generally highest near the equator and decreases towards the poles.
- Rutherford County, TN has lower species diversity compared to La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica, highlighting the LDG.
Patterns in Global Diversity
- Marine Biodiversity exhibits similar patterns, with high diversity in tropical waters and decreasing diversity towards the poles.
Causes of LDG
- Glaciation - The historical influence of ice ages may explain why temperate regions have lower diversity.
- Rates of Speciation and Extinction - Tropical regions may have higher rates of speciation and lower rates of extinction, contributing to their high biodiversity.
History – Glaciation
- Equatorial Regions may have experienced milder glacial conditions, allowing species a longer time to diversify.
- Northern Regions experienced harsher conditions, leading to potentially higher extinction rates.
Differences in Rates
- Tropical Regions may have higher speciation rates, leading to greater diversity.
- Temperate and Polar Regions may have higher extinction rates, impacting diversity.
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