Philippine Forests and Global Hotspots

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Questions and Answers

Which factors primarily influence species distribution levels?

Historical factors, energy supplies, and climatic barriers (correct)

Food availability, geographical location, and extinction rates

Climate change, nocturnal habits, and disease resistance

Species interactions, sunlight levels, and volcanic activity

What does the Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography suggest?

Colonization rates do not impact extinction rates.

Species diversity is solely determined by immigration rates.

Species found on an island are fixed and do not change over time.

The number of species on an island results from a balance between extinction and immigration. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT considered a biological barrier affecting species distribution?

Presence of competitors

Presence of predators

Changes in sea level (correct)

Absence of food

Which historical event contributes to the understanding of species distribution patterns over time?

Permian-Triassic extinction Signup and view all the answers

What are the two key factors that determine the equilibrium number of species on an island?

Distance from the mainland and size of the island Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of species that require large areas?

They typically have large habitat requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors influence species richness at a broad scale?

Latitude Signup and view all the answers

Which groups have been found to support the latitudinal gradient in diversity?

Birds and Epiphytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected pattern of species richness for trees overall?

Shows a latitudinal gradient Signup and view all the answers

What trend is observed in a typical latitudinal gradient?

Increased species richness towards the equator Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following taxonomic groups does not show the expected latitudinal gradient?

Pine trees Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is considered a fine scale factor influencing species richness?

Disturbance Signup and view all the answers

How is the number of species generally expected to correlate with latitude?

Increases towards the equator Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of establishing larger reserves in conservation planning?

They can hold more species. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of speciation does occur when populations become geographically isolated?

Allopatric speciation Signup and view all the answers

What effect does fragmentation have on the total area of habitats?

It reduces the effective habitat area. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of edge habitat formation?

It promotes the establishment of invasive species. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of species is most likely to be affected by habitat fragmentation due to its reproductive life history requirements?

Isolation sensitive species Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'faunal collapse' refer to in the context of habitat fragmentation?

The extinction of species within a habitat patch. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the challenges faced by specialists or highly coevolved species due to fragmentation?

Loss of habitat connectivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in the context of biogeography?

The disappearance of a species from the planet Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of habitat fragmentation?

Improved species immigration. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered a barrier that limits the distribution of organisms?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

Which biogeographic realm is associated with marsupials?

Australian Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of biogeography?

The arrangement of organisms in time and space Signup and view all the answers

What describes the process of dispersal in biogeography?

The movement of populations away from their origin Signup and view all the answers

Which biogeographic realm includes distinctive taxa like hummingbirds and marmosets?

Neotropic Signup and view all the answers

What role does climate play in biome distribution?

It is closely associated with the distribution of biomes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key element in the study of biogeography?

Geographic range and distribution of organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which forest hotspot is ranked as the fourth most threatened in the Asia-Pacific region?

Philippines Signup and view all the answers

What is the predominant vegetation type in the 10 most threatened forest hotspots listed?

Broadleaf forests Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following forest hotspots has the highest percentage of remaining forest?

Philippines Signup and view all the answers

Which region is listed as having the least percentage of remaining forest among the identified hotspots?

Indo-Burma Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the global surface do the countries supporting more than 70% of biodiversity cover?

Less than 10% Signup and view all the answers

What type of forest is primarily found in California Floristic Province?

Tropical dry broadleaf forests Signup and view all the answers

Which hotspot is not located in the Asia-Pacific region according to the list?

Eastern Afromontane Signup and view all the answers

Which hotspot has the highest percentage of remaining forest according to the data?

Atlantic Forest Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Current State of Philippine Forests

Philippine forests are among the world's most threatened, ranking fourth in biodiversity hotspots.
Remaining forest cover in the Philippines is approximately 7% with predominant vegetation being tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.

Biodiversity Overview

Less than 10% of the global surface supports over 70% of Earth's biological diversity.
Species richness patterns are influenced by both broad scale factors (latitude, climate, elevation) and fine scale factors (productivity, disturbance).

Latitudinal Gradient in Plant Diversity

Species richness often correlates with latitude, as shown in tropical and temperate species.
Different taxonomic groups, including mammals and birds, support the universality of the latitudinal gradient in diversity.

Biogeography Fundamentals

Biogeography encompasses several disciplines: geography, evolutionary biology, soil science, geology, climatology, ecology, paleontology, and molecular systematics.
Key factors in biogeography include evolution, extinction, dispersal, and species variations.

Biogeographic Realms

Six distinct biogeographic realms have been identified:
- Palearctic: Northern Africa and temperate Eurasia; home to Asiatic salamanders.
- Oriental: Tropical Asia; known for lower apes such as macaques.
- Ethiopian: Sub-Saharan Africa; includes great apes like gorillas.
- Australian: Australia and nearby islands; notable for marsupials.
- Nearctic: Temperate North America; features pronghorns and mole salamanders.
- Neotropic: Central and South America; rich in hummingbirds and marmosets.

Major Terrestrial Biomes

Climate closely regulates the distribution of major biomes, influencing organism's habitat suitability.
Barriers to distribution include physical (land and water), climatic (temperature and moisture), and biological (food availability and disease) factors.

Historical Factors Affecting Species Distribution

Historical events: speciation, extinction, continental drift, and glaciation all shape current species distributions.
Changes in energy availability and geographic constraints also play significant roles.

Island Biogeography Theory

The equilibrium theory posits that species richness on islands results from the balance of immigration and extinction rates.
Island size and distance from the mainland affect the rate of species turnover, impacting conservation strategies.

Implications for Conservation

Emphasis on conserving larger habitats to support more species.
Allopatric and sympatric speciation are mechanisms through which diversity evolves.

Effects of Habitat Fragmentation

Reduces total habitat area, leading to sampling effect issues and population declines of vulnerable species.
Formation of disjunct areas results in reduced dispersal, isolation, and potential faunal collapse.
Increased edge habitats can result in poor living conditions, increased predation, and invasions by exotic species.

Species Affected by Fragmentation

Area Sensitive: Species with large habitat needs, like large carnivores.
Isolation Sensitive: Species requiring specific habitats for reproduction.
Edge Sensitive: Species that thrive in specific edge conditions.
Rare Species: Highly impacted due to reduced populations and habitat loss.
Specialists: Species requiring extensive old-growth areas to survive.

These notes summarize key aspects of forest biodiversity, biogeography, and conservation challenges primarily focused on the Philippine forests and broader ecological principles.

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Explore the current state of Philippine forests and discover the world's ten most threatened forest hotspots. This quiz will test your knowledge on the vegetation types and preservation efforts in these crucial ecosystems.