1. Environmental Science 5e
Chapter 8
Biogeography
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2. Case Study: Invasive Species
Invasion of the Purple Loostrife in North America.
Non-native organisms frequently do better because they have no natural predators or competition.
Introduced species may wipe out native species.
We must be careful about introducing exotic species.
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3. Why Were Introductions of New Species into Europe So Popular Long Ago?
Biogeography:
The large scale geographic pattern in the distribution of species, and the causes and history of this distribution
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Environmental Science 5e

4. Wallace’s Realms: Biotic Provinces
Major biogeographic regions of Earth that are based upon fundamental features of the plants and animals found in those regions
Taxa:
Categories that identify groups of living organisms based upon evolutionary relationships or similarity of characteristics (ex: species, families, orders)
Biotic Provinces:
A geographical region (realm) inhabited by a characteristic set of taxa, bounded by barriers that prevent the spread of those distinctive kinds of life to other regions.
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Environmental Science 5e

5. Environmental Science 5e
The main biogeographic realms for animals are based on genetic factors .
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6. The major vegetation realms are also based on genetic factors
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7. Environmental Science 5e
Biomes
A biome is a kind of ecosystem. Similar environments provide similar opportunities for life and similar constraints.
Rainforest
Grasslands
Desserts
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8. Environmental Science 5e
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9. Environmental Science 5e
Convergent Evolution
The process by which species evolve in different places of times and, although they have different genetic heritages, develop similar external forms and structures as a result of adaptation to similar environments
Ex) shapes of sharks
Divergent Evolution
Organisms with the same ancestral genetic heritage migrate to different habitats and evolve into species with different external forms and structures, but continue to use the same type of habitats
Ex) Ostrich
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10. Environmental Science 5e
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11. Geographic Patterns of Life within a Continent
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12. Environmental Science 5e
Island Biogeography
Theory of Island Biogeography
Islands have fewer species than continents
The smaller the island, the fewer the species
Adaptive Radiation:
The process that occurs when a species enters a new habitat that has unoccupied niches and evolves into a group of new species, each adapted to one of these niches.
Ecological Island:
An area that is biologically isolated so that a species occurring within the area rarely mixes with any other population of the same species
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13. Environmental Science 5e
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14. Environmental Science 5e
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15. Environmental Science 5e
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16. Environmental Science 5e
Earth’s Biomes
The Earth has 17 major biomes , each with its own characteristic dominant shapes and forms of life.
Most biomes have been heavily altered by human action.
People have introduced exotic species to new habitats – sometimes creating benefits, often creating problems
Primary Rule: Unless there is a clear and good reason to introduce an exotic species into a new habitat, don’t do it.
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Environmental Science 5e

17. Environmental Science 5e
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18. Environmental Science 5e
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19. Environmental Science 5e
17 Major Biomes
Tundras
- treeless plains that occur in the harsh climates of low rainfall and low average temperature
- two types: artic tundra and alpine tundra
- parts have permafrost: permanently frozen ground
2. Taiga or Boreal Forests
- includes the forests of the cold climates of high latitudes and high altitudes
- dominant life forms including moose and other large mammals, small flowering plants and trees
Temperate Dedicious Forests
- occur in warmer climates that the boreal forest
4. Temperate Rainforest
- moderate temperatures, over 250 cm/year of rain
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20. Environmental Science 5e
5. Temperate Woodlands
- Slightly drier climate that the deciduous forests
- fire is common and species adapt to it
6. Temperate Shrublands
- also called chaparral: miniature woodlands
7. Temperate Grasslands
- include many North American parries
8. Tropical Rain Forests
- high average temperature and rainfall
9. Tropical Seasonal Forest and Savannas
- high average temperature, low latitudes, abundant but seasonal rainfall
10. Deserts
- The driest region that vegetation can survive.
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21. Environmental Science 5e
11. Wetlands
- Include freshwater swaps, ,marshes and bogs – all have standing water
12. Freshwaters
- Have phytoplankton and estuaries
13. Intertidal Areas
- Areas exposed to alternately to air during low tide and high tide
14. Open Ocean
- Also called the pelagic region
15. Bethos
- Bottom portion of the ocean
16. Upwellings
- Upward flows of ocean water
17. Hydrothermal Vents
- Occur in the deep ocean were plate tectonic processes create vents
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Environmental Science 5e