تنوع الأنواع والتوزيع

Patterns in Distribution of Diversity

• Local endemic species are restricted to very small areas, but can be abundant within that area.
• They are often found in isolated patches like mountains, islands, peninsulas, specific soil types, or forest patches.

Sparsely Distributed Species

• These species occur over large areas but are not abundant anywhere.

Migratory Species

• Migratory species pose challenges due to their need for habitats along their migration routes.

Island Biogeography

• Islands can be useful natural laboratories to study the relationship between area and species diversity.
• The biodiversity of islands is often simpler than continental areas, and species interactions are easier to understand.

Biodiversity of Monera, Protista, and Fungi

Monera Kingdom

• Prokaryotes are microscopic.
• They lack a nucleus.
• They can be autotrophs (photosynthetic or chemosynthetic) or heterotrophs.
• Prokaryotes are unicellular.

Protista Kingdom

• Protista contains all eukaryotes that are not plants, animals, or fungi.
• Protista includes unicellular and some simple multicellular organisms.

Fungi Kingdom

• Fungi are eukaryotes, mostly multicellular.
• Fungi have cell walls containing chitin.
• Fungi are heterotrophs that get nutrients by releasing digestive enzymes onto a food source.

Meaning of Flora and Fauna

• Flora refers to all types of plants in a specific area.

• A flora description can include scientific and common names, habitats, locations, flowering times, and favorable climates.

• Flora descriptions began in 1600 by botanists.

• Fauna refers to all forms of animal life in a specific area.

• Animals native to a region are often referred to as that region's fauna.

The Animal Kingdom

• The animal kingdom is more complex than the plant kingdom when classifying.
• Birds are categorized as Avifauna.
• Fishes are categorized as Pisci Fauna.
• Microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) are categorized as Microfauna.
• Unknown and undiscovered animals are categorized as Cryptofauna.

Importance of Flora and Fauna

• Flora and fauna are vital for maintaining ecological balance.
• They contribute to local economies in various ways.
• Flora and fauna are crucial for a gene bank of all species.