Chapter 17 Outline
Case Study: The Largest Ecological Experiment on Earth
Biogeography and Spatial Scale
CONCEPT 17.1 Patterns of species diversity and distribution vary at global, regional, and local spatial scales.
- Patterns of species diversity at different spatial scales are interconnected
- Local and regional processes interact to determine local species diversity
Global Biogeography
CONCEPT 17.2 Global patterns of species diversity and composition are controlled by geographic area and isolation, evolutionary history, and global climate.
- The biotas of biogeographic regions reflect evolutionary isolation
- Latitudinal gradients have multiple, interrelated causes
Regional Biogeography
CONCEPT 17.3 Regional differences of species diversity are controlled by area and distance due to a balance between immigration and extinction rates.
- Species richness increases with area and decreases with distance
- BOX 17.1 Species–Area Curves
- Species richness is a balance between immigration and extinction
- The equilibrium theory of island biogeography holds true for mainland areas
Case Study Revisited: The Largest Ecological Experiment on Earth
Connections in Nature: Human Benefits of Tropical Rainforest Diversity
