1. Mrs. Page ESS 2015-2016 Influence on Evolution & Biodiversity

2.  Explain how plate activity has influenced evolution and biodiversity.  Speciation through physical barriers  Consequences of isolation for evolution  Role of activity in generating new and diverse habitats (increasing biodiversity)

3. Earth’s Crust sits on top of a convecting mantle The upper mantle (asthenosphere) is moving do to convection currents. This movement of the mantle causes Earth’s crust to move over time resulting in many of the landforms and geographic events that occur on Earth.

4.  Earth’s crust is broken into large pieces called plates  Plates move over time creating many landforms & geologic events such as earthquakes and volcanoes

5.  Because Earth’s plates are moving, the continents have not always been in their present location.  Pangaea – large supercontinent  As continents move apart – physical isolation may occur  Geologic events – volcanoes & earthquakes can bring about loss of habitat and potential loss of species

6.  Throughout history there has been several periods of mass extinctions  One theory: Possible large volcanic eruptions blocking sunlight & destroying habitats.

7.  Convergent: pushed together  Divergent: moving apart  Transform: sliding past  What happens at plate boundaries can be constructive: building new land (ie: habitats) or destructive; destroying land

8.  3 Scenarios:  2 Continents Collide = folded mountains  Could lead to isolation – mountain range separates a population  Creates new habitat  Both constructive (building mountain) and destructive (one plate subducting) Himalayas Rocky Mountains

9.  2 Oceanic Plates Collide  More dense plate subducts  Deep sea trench  Oceanic Islands  New Land formation = new habitat Aleutian Island Arc: Possibility of future land bridge?? Affect on evolution & biodiversity?

10.  1 Continental & 1 Oceanic Plate Collide  Oceanic trench off coastline (oceanic plate subducts)  Coastal Volcanic Mountain Range Cascade Mountain Range – west coast USA Pictured: Mt. St. Helens  Potential mass extinction caused by large volcanic eruptions

11.  Oceanic-oceanic  Sea floor spreading  Mid Ocean Ridge

12.  Continental- continental  Rift Valley  Geographic Isolation? African Rift Valley

13.  Plates slide past with friction  EARTHQUAKE ZONES

14.  Explain how plate tectonics has influenced evolution and biodiversity. Give specific examples.