Biogeography and Environmental Factors

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Questions and Answers

What does the process of disjunction refer to in biogeography?

The emergence of land bridges

The dynamic change of species distributions

The isolation of widely separated populations (correct)

The adaptation of species to new environments

What was Joseph Hooker’s view on species distribution in comparison to Darwin's?

Diversification is solely due to natural selection.

Long distance dispersal is the only explanation for species distribution.

Land bridges were responsible for species spread and separation. (correct)

Species distributions remain unchanged over time.

What observation did Hooker make about isolated island floras in relation to the mainland?

They are unresponsive to environmental changes.

Their plant species diversity increases with isolation.

They are identical to those of the mainland.

They exhibit greater distinctness as isolation increases. (correct)

Which factor did Darwin suggest was responsible for the adaptation and diversification of biotas?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis regarding land bridges was abandoned by the end of the 19th century?

That there was geological evidence supporting their existence. Signup and view all the answers

Which biogeographic principle did Hooker develop that relates to species distribution due to geological changes?

Vicariance biogeography Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent a factor in species distribution according to the historical biogeography context?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Darwin's observations impact biogeographical theories?

They led to rejection of static views of species distributions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of Comte de Buffon's contribution to biogeography?

The idea of distant regions having similar climates but different species Signup and view all the answers

Which naturalist is primarily associated with the concept of species diversity being correlated with island size?

R.H. MacArthur and E.O. Wilson Signup and view all the answers

What did Charles Darwin contribute to the understanding of biogeography?

Proof of evolution through natural selection Signup and view all the answers

Which naturalist is most closely associated with the idea of climate and species being changeable?

A.L. Wegener Signup and view all the answers

What concept is attributed to Alexander von Humboldt in biogeography?

Global biotic regions for plants Signup and view all the answers

Which naturalist suggested a theoretical framework for biotic patterns in regards to spatial and temporal distribution?

R.H. MacArthur Signup and view all the answers

Which biogeographer emphasized the strong correlation between plant vegetation types and local climate?

Alexander von Humboldt Signup and view all the answers

What did Phillip Sclater's research primarily focus on in biogeography?

The classification of geographic regions based on fauna Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using disjunct species in biogeography?

To reveal past land or water connections between regions Signup and view all the answers

Which biogeographical theory focuses on the diversity of island biota?

Island biogeography theory Signup and view all the answers

How has the focus of biogeography changed since the 1960s?

From historical reconstructions to ecological influences Signup and view all the answers

What did L Croizat contribute to the field of biogeography?

He wrote about the importance of geographic distribution for historical connections Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of biogeography became prominent in the study of species distributions after the 1960s?

Ecological interactions and their effects Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of evaluating disjunct geographical distributions?

Reconstruction of past continental and landmass connections Signup and view all the answers

What investigation did G.E. Hutchinson primarily focus on in biogeography?

The relationships between species and environmental conditions Signup and view all the answers

What has been an essential method in tracing the history and relationships of taxa?

Phylogenetic classifications based on historical data Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biogeography and Abiotic Factors

Abiotic environment significantly influences the distribution of individuals and populations.
The diversity of species across different regions is shaped by these environmental limitations.

Technological Advancements

Progress in computer technology enhances the analysis of biogeographic patterns.
Tools like satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial statistics facilitate local to global exploration of biogeography.

Contributions of Notable Naturalists

Linnaeus: Developed a method for classifying plants and animals from Mount Ararat.
Comte de Buffon: Suggested plants and animals dispersed from the Arctic region.
Johann Forster: Highlighted that distant regions with similar climates can have varying animal species.
Alexander von Humboldt: Emphasized the dynamic relationship between climate and species.
Charles Darwin: Proposed that natural selection accounts for diversification and adaptation, while geographic isolation and dispersal impact species distribution.
Phillip Sclater: Identified global biotic regions specifically for birds.
Alfred Wallace: Contributed to the understanding of species diversity correlating with island size.
A.L. Wegener: Introduced the concept of continental drift, which explains the spread of species over landmasses.
L. Croizat: Resurrected interest in disjunct species to reconstruct historical connections between regions.
R.H. MacArthur and E.O. Wilson: Formulated the theory of island biogeography, explaining species diversity on islands.

Dynamic Nature of Distributions

Both Darwin and Joseph Hooker acknowledged that species distributions are not static.
Hooker theorized that ancient land bridges accounted for species spread, although this idea was later dismissed.

Vicariance Biogeography

Hooker's work in island biotas demonstrated that isolation impacts plant species diversity.
Increased isolation leads to a decrease in species number but greater distinctness among populations.

Reconstructing Historical Connections

Biogeographers utilize disjunct species to uncover past land or water connections and long-distance dispersal events.
Interest in reconstructing biogeographical histories has been fueled by Croizat's writings on disjunct species.

Shift in Biogeographical Focus

Pre-1950s biogeography focused on evolutionary and historical perspectives.
Since the 1960s, ecological biogeography gained traction, examining species interactions and distributions.
G.E. Hutchinson explored interspecific interactions that affect species coexistence, while MacArthur and Wilson's island biogeography theory explicates variations in island species diversity.

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Description

This quiz explores the role of abiotic factors in shaping biogeographic patterns and species diversity across various regions. It also discusses the impact of technological advancements on the study of these patterns. Test your understanding of these concepts and their significance in biogeography.