BIO120H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Insular Biogeography, Species Richness, Herbivore
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
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Chapter 16. 0 biodiversity the numbers of species in most groups of organisms plant, animal, and perhaps microbial increase markedly toward the equator diversity increases without limit over time, barring catastrophes such as meteorite impacts that cause mass extinctions of species. Tropics older than rest so most diverse. Second theory says thatdiversity reaches an equilibrium, new specie, specie going instinct. Geographic factors also affect species richness. the niche relationships of species provide an informative measure of community structure. The more overlap the more species compete in niches. Species must be at carrying capacity (equilibrium) to be crowded and to coexist in same niche, if not it won"t be necessary. Nonflying mammals are no more diverse at equator than temperate regions. Temperature difference so epiphytes go to tropic, and herbivorous insects go to tropics because more plant food. Morphology as a indicator of ecological role. Average niche greadth remains the same in communities with diff # of species.
