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Environmental change and species distribution

Ecology • Organisation of an ecosystem

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Distribution refers to the geographic areas where a species is found, while abundance indicates the number of individuals within those areas.
  • Limiting factors, whether abiotic or biotic, restrict survival, growth, or reproduction.
  • Examples include temperature, water, pH, and food availability.
  • These factors define a species' tolerance range and its realized niche.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

Explain how deforestation affects species distribution.

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Deforestation eliminates habitats and reduces biodiversity, forcing mobile species to relocate and increasing local extinction risks while changing microclimates and hydrology.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Limiting factors establish tolerance ranges and distribution boundaries.

Temperature increases induce poleward or uphill range shifts instead of uniform expansion.

Lichens and aquatic invertebrates effectively serve as bioindicators of pollution.

Deforestation reduces habitat and connectivity, leading to cascading distribution effects.

Invasive species alter community structure by outcompeting native organisms.

Sampling should be random or systematic, with adequate sizes to avoid biased distribution estimates.

Short-term responses may differ from long-term outcomes related to evolution or extinction.

Evaluation links immediate causes to ultimate distribution outcomes.

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