Island biogeography

Definition

Island biogeography is the study of the species composition and ecological phenomena on islands. It explores how isolation, area, and habitat diversity influence species richness and extinction rates.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Theory of Island Biogeography was developed by Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson in the 1960s.
2. Species richness on an island is influenced by the island's size and distance from the mainland.
3. Larger islands tend to have more species due to greater habitat diversity and lower extinction rates.
4. Islands closer to the mainland have higher immigration rates, which can increase species diversity.
5. The equilibrium model suggests that the number of species on an island represents a balance between immigration rates and extinction rates.

Review Questions

• Who developed the Theory of Island Biogeography?
• How does the size of an island affect its species richness?
• What factors contribute to the equilibrium number of species on an island?

Related terms

Endemic Species: Species that are found only in a specific geographic location, such as an island.

Habitat Fragmentation: The process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated sections.

Metapopulation: A group of spatially separated populations of the same species which interact at some level.