Question

How does the theory of island biogeography help explain the distribution of wildlife in the cleveland mountains

Answer 1

The theory of island biogeography, developed by MacArthur and Wilson, explains wildlife distribution in isolated areas like the Cleveland Mountains by evaluating the dynamic balance of species colonization and extinction, influenced by factors such as area size and isolation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Theory of Island Biogeography and Wildlife Distribution

The theory of island biogeography is a framework developed by ecologists MacArthur and Wilson, which helps to explain the distribution of wildlife, including in the Cleveland Mountains. This theory posits that the number of species found in an area is determined by the rates of colonization by new species and extinction of existing species. This balance is influenced by factors such as the area's size, isolation, and the variety of available ecological niches.

In the context of the Cleveland Mountains, which can be likened to "montane islands" of high elevation surrounded by different habitats, the theory suggests that isolation can lead to endemic species development. Such isolation provides unique conditions that may limit species immigration but also allow for the occurrence of adaptive radiation, where a single species evolves into multiple new species to fill available ecological niches.

This biogeographical model plays an important role in designing preserves to maintain biodiversity. For the Cleveland Mountains, the principles of island biogeography indicate that preservation efforts should consider factors such as the reserve's size and connectivity to support a diverse range of species.

Answer 2

We have that the shortest area on the Cleveland mountains is that belonging to Huntington Park (103 acres), whilst the largest area on these mountains is that belonging to Mill Stream Park (3189 acres). The former has a species richness of 9, whilst the latter has a species richness of 16.

The theory of island biogeography helps to explain these variations regarding biodiversity since it can be said that the number of species of a given area is the result of an evolutive process called speciation, which occurs from particular ecological populations of the same species that are exposed to different environmental pressures, or isolated one from another by geographical barriers, for example. So it could happen in the Cleveland Mountains that an only ancient population of, for example, a population of lizards was confined to different areas of the biome, ending eventually, after the pass of the years, in that species radiation.