Island biogeography
- Pronunciation
- /IS-land bye-o-GEO-graphy/
- Category
- Biogeography
- Plural
- Island biogeographies
Definition
A field of study that examines the distribution and diversity of species on islands, particularly focusing on the factors influencing species richness and abundance.
Etymology
Derived from the combination of 'island' and 'biogeography', reflecting the focus on the biogeography of island ecosystems.
Example
Island biogeography explains why larger islands tend to have more species than smaller islands due to factors like immigration rates and extinction rates.
Related Terms
- Immigration
- Extinction
- Species richness
- Island size
- Distance from mainland