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York University *
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Course
1401
Subject
Geography
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
6
Uploaded by DrSeaUrchin3751
1.
Latitude
2.
Elevation:
As elevation increases, several environmental conditions change.
Typically, the temperature drops approximately 6.5 degrees Celsius per 1,000 metres
gained in elevation, a phenomenon known as the environmental lapse rate. This
temperature decrease can lead to changes in the types of vegetation and animal life
that can survive at higher elevations. Additionally, the air pressure decreases with
elevation, which can affect both plant and animal life.
Rainfall:
The windward side of a mountain usually receives more rainfall than the
leeward side due to orographic lift. As moist air ascends the mountain's slope, it cools
and condenses, forming clouds and often precipitating as rain or snow. This
phenomenon creates a wetter climate on the windward side, leading to lush vegetation
and diverse ecosystems compared to the drier leeward side. This increased rainfall can
also result in the formation of microclimates and varied habitats within a relatively
small geographic area.
Temperature:
Temperature generally decreases with increasing elevation due to the
thinner atmosphere at higher altitudes, which is less efficient at holding heat. This
change in temperature can be quite drastic and influences the types of ecosystems
present. Higher elevations tend to have cooler climates, which can lead to the
presence of different plant and animal species compared to those found at lower
elevations. For example, at lower elevations, one might find temperate forests, which
may give way to coniferous forests and eventually alpine conditions at the highest
elevations
3.
Sunlight
4.
Geographically isolated areas foster the development of endemic species primarily
due to limited gene flow and unique evolutionary pressures. In these isolated
environments, species do not interbreed with those from other areas, leading to
distinct genetic characteristics. Additionally, isolated conditions create unique
environmental challenges and opportunities, driving species to adapt in ways that are
specialized to their specific habitat. This isolation and unique adaptation process
result in the evolution of species that are found nowhere else.
5.
Figure 1 illustrates that the greatest diversity of species is found in equatorial regions,
as indicated by the red hues on the map. This high level of biodiversity is notably
evident in regions like the Amazon basin, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The lush, warm,
and humid conditions characteristic of the equatorial climate contribute significantly
to this richness. Such an environment fosters the growth of dense forests and
vegetation, creating an ideal habitat for a wide variety of bird species.
6.
Birds
: One adaptation in birds that might prevent them from migrating is the loss of
flight capability. On isolated islands, where threats from predators are often reduced,
some bird species have evolved to become flightless. This adaptation can be
beneficial in an environment with fewer predators and limited resources, as it
conserves energy. However, the loss of flight capability makes it impossible for these
birds to migrate over large bodies of water to other landmasses.
Mammals:
For mammals, a significant barrier to migration from islands is the
geographic isolation itself, particularly the surrounding bodies of water. Many
mammal species are not capable of long-distance swimming, making it difficult or
impossible for them to leave the island and migrate to other landmasses. Additionally,
some island mammals may evolve in such a way that they are highly specialized to
their unique island habitat, making them less adaptable to different environments
outside of their island home.
7.
Two areas with few or no amphibians, excluding the Arctic and Antarctic, are deserts
(such as the Sahara) and very high-altitude regions (like the Himalayas). The primary
reason for the scarcity of amphibians in these regions is the lack of consistent and
sufficient moisture. Amphibians require moist environments for their skin and
reproduction, as most lay their eggs in water. Deserts, being extremely dry, and
high-altitude areas, often cold and with limited liquid water, are not conducive to the
survival and reproduction of amphibians.
-part b-
Taxon - birds
Habitat - tropical
Trial 1
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 10
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.5
Most abundant species - 2
(1)
4
(2)
Trial 2 -
Island Diameter down to 224 for both islands
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9
(1)
10
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.3
(1)
8.8
(2)
Most abundant species - 3(1)6(2)
Trial 3 -
Island distance up to 70 kms for both islands
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 10
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.5
Most abundant species - 4(1) 10 (2)
C.
Trial 1
Island 2 distance up to 70 kms
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9
(1)
10
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.3
(1)
8.8
(2)
Most abundant species - 1,5,8(1)3(2)
Trial 2 -
Island 2 distance down to 10 kms
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9
(1)
10
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.3
(1)
8.8
(2)
Most abundant species - 8(1)9(2)
Trial 3 -
Island 2 distance up to 230 kms
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 10
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.5(1)9.3(2)
Most abundant species - 6(1)8(2)
D.
Trial 1
Island 2 diameter down to 96
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 10
(1)
5
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.2
(1)
4.4
(2)
Most abundant species - 4,5,6(1)1,2,7,9,10(2)
Trial 2 -
Island 2 diameter down to 192
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9
(1)
9
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.5
(1)
8.5
(2)
Most abundant species - 5,7(1)1(2)
Trial 3 -
Island 2 diameter down to 160
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 -
10
(1)
8
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 9.6(1)7.7(2)
Most abundant species - 6(1)4(2)
E.
Trial 1 -
Island 1 - diameter: 192 distance: 10
island 2 - diameter: 256 distance:110
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 8
(1)
10
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 8.6
(1)
9.7
(2)
Most abundant species - 5,9(1)6(2)
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Trial 2 -
Island 1 - diameter:128 distance: 90
island 2 - diameter: 128 distance:10
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 - 6
(1)
4
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 6.1
(1)
5.9
(2)
Most abundant species - 9(1)4(2)
Trial 3 -
Island 1 - diameter: 160 distance: 70
island 2 - diameter: 96 distance: 230
Current # Species - island 1 and 2 -
9
(1)
4
(2)
Average # Species - island 1 and 2 - 7.6(1)3.9(2)
Most abundant species - 5,7,8(1)2,3,9,10(2)
Question
1.
I do not believe there was equilibrium unless the diameter of the island was 256 kms
as it provides more space for the species to live on.
2.
Manipulation A (Island Distance to 70 km):
a.
All trials showed a consistent number of 10 species, matching the average of
9.5.
Manipulation B (Island 2 Distance Varied):
b.
Slight variation in species numbers between the islands, with a final trial
showing uniformity. Generally aligned with the average numbers (9.3 and
8.8-9.3).
Manipulation C (Island 2 Diameter Varied):
c.
Noticeable variability, especially for Island 2 (ranging from 5 to 9), which
often deviated from the average.
Manipulation D (Diameter and Distance Varied):
d.
Significant variability, with species numbers often lower than the average,
particularly for Island 2.
Overall, the trials suggest that changes in island size and distance can significantly impact
species numbers, with size changes showing a more pronounced effect on biodiversity.
3.
Comparing the impact of changing the distance (Part C) and size (Part D) of Island 2, relative
to the original experiment (Part B):
Original (Part B): Species numbers varied slightly but remained relatively stable (9-10 on
Island 1, 10 on Island 2).
Distance Change (Part C): Showed significant variability, with species numbers often
aligning or slightly deviating from the original.
Size Change (Part D): Demonstrated the most pronounced effect, with a substantial drop in
species numbers on Island 2 in some trials, especially when the island's size was greatly
reduced.
Based on these observations, size appears to play a bigger role in species colonization than
distance. The substantial impact observed with changes in island size, particularly the
reduction leading to fewer species, suggests that habitat size is crucial for supporting a
diverse range of species. Distance impacts colonization but seems to have a less dramatic
effect compared to the availability of habitat and resources dictated by island size.
Wef
4.
In Part E, the chosen parameters for island distance and diameter do represent extreme cases
for species richness:
Close and Large Islands: The combination of proximity and large size (Island 2 in Trial 1)
maintained high species numbers, suggesting favorable conditions for species richness.
Far and Small Islands: The far and small islands (Island 2 in Trials 2 and 3) consistently
showed lower species numbers, indicating that extreme distance combined with small size
negatively impacts species richness
This data implies that both extremely small size and great distance can be detrimental to
species richness, while larger sizes and closer proximity to a mainland or other islands are
more conducive to maintaining higher species numbers.
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