Frontiers of Biogeography is a scientific journal that focuses on the study of biogeography, which is the investigation of the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographical spaces and through geological time. The journal publishes research that addresses various aspects of biogeography, including patterns of species distribution, the effects of climate change and habitat fragmentation, evolutionary processes, and ecological interactions that shape biogeographic patterns.
Extinction debt refers to the phenomenon where a species is at risk of extinction in the future despite currently still existing in a habitat or ecosystem. This can occur when environmental changes or habitat loss have already caused significant declines in population or reproductive success, making it likely that the species will eventually go extinct even if immediate conditions might seem suitable for its survival. The concept of extinction debt is often associated with habitat fragmentation, climate change, or other human-induced pressures that impact ecosystems.
Evolutionary fauna refers to groups of organisms that have significantly influenced the structure of ecosystems and evolutionary processes over geological time scales. The term is often used in paleontology to describe specific assemblages of organisms that emerged during particular intervals of Earth's history, especially in relation to significant evolutionary events like the Cambrian Explosion or the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.
The elevational diversity gradient refers to the pattern of biodiversity changes as one moves up or down a mountain or hilly landscape in relation to elevation. Generally, this concept describes how species richness and diversity can vary with altitude. In many cases, biodiversity tends to increase with elevation up to a certain point, often peaking at mid-elevations, and then it may decrease at higher altitudes.
Effective evolutionary time is a concept used in evolutionary biology and phylogenetics to describe the time scale over which evolutionary processes such as mutation, selection, and genetic drift have significantly influenced the genetic differences among populations or species. Unlike "calendrical time," which refers to the actual passage of time measured in years or millennia, effective evolutionary time considers the rates of evolutionary change and the various factors that can affect how quickly or slowly evolutionary processes occur.
An ecozone, also known as a biogeographic realm, is a large geographic region characterized by distinct ecological conditions, including climate, vegetation, and animal communities. The concept of ecozones helps classify areas of the Earth based on their biodiversity and the types of ecosystems they support. Ecozones are often used in ecological studies, conservation planning, and environmental management to understand patterns of distribution of species and the relationships between different ecological communities.
An ecotone is a transition area between two different ecological communities or ecosystems. These areas often have a mix of species from both adjacent communities, and they can exhibit unique ecological characteristics and higher biodiversity compared to the surrounding areas. Ecotones can occur at various scales, such as between forests and grasslands, wetlands and uplands, or even between different types of aquatic systems.
"Ecosection" typically refers to a subdivision of an ecological region, often used in environmental studies and planning to categorize areas based on their ecological characteristics. The term can vary based on context, but it generally emphasizes aspects like climate, vegetation, wildlife, and landforms. In a more specific context, such as in British Columbia, Canada, for instance, the term "Ecosection" is used in the context of the province's ecological classification system.
An ecoregion is a geographical area that is defined by distinct ecological characteristics, including climate, vegetation, soil types, and wildlife. Ecoregions are used by ecologists and environmental scientists to categorize and analyze the diversity of ecosystems and the relationships between different organisms and their environments. Ecoregions can vary in size and can be classified at different levels, such as global, national, or local.
As of my last update in October 2023, "Ecoprovince" does not refer to a widely recognized concept, organization, or initiative that is commonly known. However, the term could potentially be used in specific contexts related to environmental sustainability, ecological governance, or regional development focused on ecological principles.
Ecological release refers to the phenomenon where a species expands its niche or exhibits changes in its behavior, morphology, or reproductive strategies when it is introduced to a new environment with reduced competition or predation pressures. This concept often occurs when a species is removed from its natural habitat's biotic constraints — for example, when invasive species establish themselves in new ecosystems with fewer natural predators or competitors.
An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, encompassing its habitat, the resources it utilizes, and its interactions with other organisms. It includes various factors such as: 1. **Habitat:** The specific environment where a species lives, including the physical location and conditions. 2. **Resource Use:** The way a species obtains food, water, shelter, and other resources necessary for its survival and reproduction.
Ecological classification is a systematic method used to categorize and describe the various types of ecosystems and habitats based on their ecological characteristics, such as climate, vegetation, soil type, and the organisms that inhabit them. This classification helps in understanding the distribution and relationships among living organisms and their environments, facilitating better management and conservation strategies.
The Eastern forest–boreal transition refers to a biome transition zone located in North America, particularly in the northeastern United States and parts of eastern Canada. This region marks the boundary between the temperate deciduous forests to the south and the boreal forests (or taiga) to the north.
Eastern Asia, as defined by the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions (WGSRPD), is a geographic region that typically includes several countries. According to the WGSRPD, Eastern Asia generally comprises the following areas: 1. **China** - Mainland China, which encompasses a vast range of climates, ecosystems, and plant diversity. 2. **Japan** - An archipelago with a variety of climates and a rich biodiversity.
Disjunct distribution refers to a pattern in which a species or group of organisms is found in widely separated geographic regions, with little or no individuals in the areas between these regions. This distribution contrasts with more continuous distributions where populations are more uniformly spread out across a geographic area.
The term "Cosmopolitan distribution" generally refers to a species or a group of organisms that have a wide geographic distribution, found in many different regions across the globe. In ecology and biogeography, a cosmopolitan species is typically one that can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and is not restricted to a specific region. For example, some common plants, animals, or microorganisms are considered cosmopolitan because they are found on multiple continents and in various ecological niches.
The term "Continental Biogeographic Region" refers to large geographic areas that are characterized by distinct climate conditions, flora, and fauna. These regions represent the biogeographic classification of Earth's surface based on ecosystems, species distribution, and historical factors. Continental biogeographic regions are often used in ecology and conservation biology to analyze patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
In ecology, a community refers to an assemblage of different species living together in a particular habitat or ecosystem. These species can include plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that interact with one another in various ways, including competition, predation, mutualism, and commensalism. Communities are characterized by their species diversity (the variety of species present), species composition (the identity and abundance of each species), and the interactions among the species.
Circumpolar distribution refers to the geographical distribution of species, ecosystems, or phenomena that are found in the polar regions, primarily around the Arctic and Antarctic circles. In this context, "circumpolar" means that a species or entity is present all around the pole or along the polar regions.