Biogeography explains where organisms live and why their distributions differ across Earth. By connecting climate, geography, and evolutionary history, it helps us understand the patterns of life across the biosphere.
The biosphere includes all parts of Earth where life exists, from the atmosphere several kilometers above the surface to the depths of the oceans. Although it seems vast from a human perspective, it is a very small region compared with the known universe.
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What is biogeography?
The study of where living things occur geographically and the abiotic factors that influence their distributions.
What is a biome?
A large region with a similar climate and characteristic plant and animal communities.
How do endemic species differ from generalists?
Endemic species are naturally restricted to a particular geographic area, while generalists can live across a wide variety of geographic areas.
How can elevation affect vegetation?
As elevation increases, conditions such as temperature change, so vegetation may shift in a sequence resembling changes seen toward higher latitudes.
Why are isolated regions often rich in endemic species?
Geographic isolation limits movement and can allow distinctive species assemblages to develop over long evolutionary periods.
Quiz questions
What process brings nutrients from deep ocean water into sunlit surface waters when winds push surface water offshore?Answer: Ocean upwelling, in which deeper water rises to replace displaced surface water.
At what temperature is water densest, helping drive seasonal lake turnover?Answer: About 4 °C.
In freshwater, which direction does water tend to move across an organism's cell membrane by osmosis?Answer: Into the organism's cells from the lower-solute surroundings.
What does net primary productivity estimate?Answer: Carbon fixed by producers minus carbon they use in cellular respiration.
What is a function of the waxy cuticle on terrestrial plants?Answer: It helps limit water loss from plant surfaces.
Based on Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.