5. Factors Influencing World Distribution of Plants and Animals

Case Study 1: Climate Change and Shifts in Global Plant Distribution

Geographical Thought & Perspectives:

• Biogeographical Realms (Wallace, 1876) – Classification of global biodiversity zones.
• Climate Determinism in Species Distribution (Holdridge, 1947) – Influence of temperature and precipitation on plant habitats.
• Anthropogenic Climate Change (IPCC, 1988–Present) – Human-induced disruptions in species distribution.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Biome Classification Model – Categorization of ecosystems based on climate and vegetation.
• Species Migration Model – Movement of plant species due to climate shifts.
• Ecological Niche Theory (Hutchinson, 1957) – Role of environmental conditions in species survival.

Recent Data:

• Global Plant Distribution: Observed northward migration of temperate plant species due to warming.
• Biodiversity Impact: Loss of native species in tropical regions due to temperature stress.
• Satellite Observations: ESA confirms vegetation shifts in boreal and temperate zones.

Spatial Variation:

• High-Latitude Regions: Expansion of temperate forests into tundra zones.
• Tropical Regions: Decline in species diversity due to extreme heat.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Climate-driven species migration observed since 2000.
• Future Projections: Expected acceleration due to rising global temperatures.

Source:

• Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution: “Climate Change and Global Plant Distribution Shifts”

Insight:

Climate-driven plant migration validates ecological niche models, emphasizing the role of temperature and precipitation in species distribution.

Case Study 2: Human-Induced Habitat Fragmentation and Wildlife Distribution

Geographical Thought & Perspectives:

• Island Biogeography Theory (MacArthur & Wilson, 1967) – Influence of habitat isolation on species survival.
• Anthropogenic Land Use Change (Lal, 1998) – Human-induced disruptions in wildlife habitats.
• Conservation Biology and Habitat Connectivity (Soulé, 1985) – Strategies for maintaining biodiversity.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Habitat Fragmentation Model – Impact of land-use changes on species distribution.
• Wildlife Corridor Theory – Importance of ecological connectivity for species survival.
• Biodiversity Hotspot Model (Myers, 1988) – Identification of regions with high species richness.

Recent Data:

• Amazon Basin: Observed loss of 17% of primary forest cover due to deforestation.
• Wildlife Impact: Decline in jaguar and tapir populations due to habitat fragmentation.
• Satellite Observations: ESA confirms disrupted migration patterns in fragmented landscapes.

Spatial Variation:

• Deforested Areas: Severe habitat loss affecting species survival.
• Protected Reserves: Higher biodiversity due to conservation efforts.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Increasing habitat fragmentation observed since 1990s.
• Future Projections: Expected worsening due to continued land-use changes.

Source:

• Global Ecology and Conservation: “Human-Induced Habitat Fragmentation and Wildlife Distribution Patterns”

Insight:

Habitat fragmentation validates conservation models, emphasizing the need for ecological connectivity to maintain biodiversity.