Processes and Factors Influencing Biodiversity

Factors affecting distribution: Climate Adiabatic lapse rate - 1

Factors affecting distribution: Climate Adiabatic lapse rate - 1 degree every 200m Closer you are to the sea the wetter the climate Soil - nutrient rich = more biodiversity Isolation - reduces number of species but increases endemism e.g. Hawaii History and age - biodiversity is greatest in oldest and least disturbed ecosystems, especially in Tropics Size of area - large continous biomes support a wider range of species and encourage migration

Physical Factors Affecting Biodiversity: Temperature [L] Wind [L] Rainfall [L] Light [L] Climate [L] Geology/soil formation [L] Age of ecosystem [L] Habitat variety [L] Geographical location [L] Altitudinal range [L] Size and integrity of area [L] Succession [L] Natural disturbances [L] Isolation [L/N]

Human Factors Affecting Biodiversity: Harvesting, consumption and exploitation [L] Land use change [L] Pollution [L] Anthroprogenic climate change [G] Population growth [L] Development [L] Introduction/removal species [L] Modification of landscape [L] Management and conservation [N] Deforestation [L]

Global Processes Affecting Biodiversity: Size of an area - biodiversity increases with area because large continuous biomes support a wider range of biodiversity and large boundaries encourage migration History and age - biodiversity is greates in the oldest, least disturbed ecosystems Isolation - isolation e.g. remote islands reduces the number of species but increases endemism

National Processes Affecting Biodiversity: Productivity - high temperatures and humidity levels, rich supplies of nutrients and light for photosynthesis and a lack of annual seasons all encourage primary productivity and therefore abundant energy Habitat architecture - high primary productivity encourages development of a complex trophic pyramid with ecological niches (the places or function of a given organism within its ecosystem) which supports a high level of biodiversity Habitat heterogeneity (habitat diversity) - varied physical environment will habour greater biodiversity as it provides a wider range of habitats for a larger variety of species