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a What environmental factors are associated with the distribution of the polar bear?

a What environmental factors are associated with the distribution of the polar bear?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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C Biogeography Biogeography is the study of the distribution of organisms on Earth and the factors affecting each distri- bution. This study is sometimes divided into zoogeography, the distribution of animal populations, and phytogeography, the distribution of plant populations. Species are typically restricted to a specific range or area of distribution. Over time the change: expanding or constricting with changes in population. Geology also changes. A river may change course, or plate tectonics slowly changes the landscape: raising mountains, separating or joining continents, etc. These geologic changes may separate populations that were previously contiguous. For example, ancient populations may have been on a northern continent (Laurasia) that later split into North America and Europe/Asia. Other ancient populations may have been on a southern continent (Gondwana) that later split into S. America, Antarctica, and Australia. The range range will of a species is also limited by external factors, or barriers, such as: 1) Physical barriers, e.g., land for aquatic species or water for terrestrial species; mountain ranges or deserts. Physical barriers are subject to geologic changes. 2) Climatic barriers, e.g., temperature (average, seasonal, or extremes), moisture availability, the amount of solar radiation, wind patterns, etc. Climatic barriers are subject to climatic changes. 3) Biological barriers, e.g., absence of appropriate food, competition from other species, predators, or disease. Biological barriers are subject to ecological interactions. The purpose of this exercise is to determine why particular organisms have a particular distribution. For example, why do kangaroos only live in Australia and nearby islands? Use the environmental overlays to help you understand the climatic factors and habitats that may influence the distribution of each organ- ism. Use the diagrams of plate tectonics to help surmise the geologic factors that may affect each range. Remember that the final distribution of an organism is a result of the interaction between all these (and other) factors. Analyze one case at a time. Determine the factors affecting the distribution of each type of organism an answer the following questions. You may also use relief maps provided in lab. 1 POLAR BEAR (Ursus maritimus). Hint: Be sure to consider ice drift. a What environmental factors are associated with the distribution of the polar bear? b Did polar bears evolve on Laurasia or on Gondwana? C Can you identify a region of the world where polar bears might survive if introduced there? spot
Transcribed Image Text:C Biogeography Biogeography is the study of the distribution of organisms on Earth and the factors affecting each distri- bution. This study is sometimes divided into zoogeography, the distribution of animal populations, and phytogeography, the distribution of plant populations. Species are typically restricted to a specific range or area of distribution. Over time the change: expanding or constricting with changes in population. Geology also changes. A river may change course, or plate tectonics slowly changes the landscape: raising mountains, separating or joining continents, etc. These geologic changes may separate populations that were previously contiguous. For example, ancient populations may have been on a northern continent (Laurasia) that later split into North America and Europe/Asia. Other ancient populations may have been on a southern continent (Gondwana) that later split into S. America, Antarctica, and Australia. The range range will of a species is also limited by external factors, or barriers, such as: 1) Physical barriers, e.g., land for aquatic species or water for terrestrial species; mountain ranges or deserts. Physical barriers are subject to geologic changes. 2) Climatic barriers, e.g., temperature (average, seasonal, or extremes), moisture availability, the amount of solar radiation, wind patterns, etc. Climatic barriers are subject to climatic changes. 3) Biological barriers, e.g., absence of appropriate food, competition from other species, predators, or disease. Biological barriers are subject to ecological interactions. The purpose of this exercise is to determine why particular organisms have a particular distribution. For example, why do kangaroos only live in Australia and nearby islands? Use the environmental overlays to help you understand the climatic factors and habitats that may influence the distribution of each organ- ism. Use the diagrams of plate tectonics to help surmise the geologic factors that may affect each range. Remember that the final distribution of an organism is a result of the interaction between all these (and other) factors. Analyze one case at a time. Determine the factors affecting the distribution of each type of organism an answer the following questions. You may also use relief maps provided in lab. 1 POLAR BEAR (Ursus maritimus). Hint: Be sure to consider ice drift. a What environmental factors are associated with the distribution of the polar bear? b Did polar bears evolve on Laurasia or on Gondwana? C Can you identify a region of the world where polar bears might survive if introduced there? spot
d Why are they not currently found in that region? 2 PENGUINS (FAMILY SPHENISCIDAE). Hint: Be sure to consider ocean currents. What factors are associated with the distribution of these birds? b Did penguins evolve on Laurasia or on Gondwana? c Explain the presence of one species of penguin on the Galapagos Islands, on the equator off the coast of South America. 3 TAPIRS (FAMILY TAPIRIDAE). Hint: Be sure to consider the role of plate tectonics. a With what environmental factors is the distribution of tapirs associated? b Fossil tapirs are found in the Northern U.S. and Canada. What can you surmise about the climate of North America at the time tapirs lived there? C Did tapirs evolve on Laurasia or on Gondwana? d Explain the present-day discontinuous distribution of tapirs. Why are tapirs in Southeast Asia? e Why are tapirs in Central and South America? (Hint: What allowed tapirs to migrate to South America?) f Does Africa have habitat for tapirs? Why are tapirs absent from Africa? 4 PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus) a Describe the distribution of pineapple. b Pineapple is in the bromeliad family. Other bromeliads are restricted to the Central and South American tropics. Where did bromeliads evolve? c Why is the pineapple distribution so extensive? (Hint: Is it a natural distribution or not?) d Name other plants with distributions due to the same factors as pineapple.
Transcribed Image Text:d Why are they not currently found in that region? 2 PENGUINS (FAMILY SPHENISCIDAE). Hint: Be sure to consider ocean currents. What factors are associated with the distribution of these birds? b Did penguins evolve on Laurasia or on Gondwana? c Explain the presence of one species of penguin on the Galapagos Islands, on the equator off the coast of South America. 3 TAPIRS (FAMILY TAPIRIDAE). Hint: Be sure to consider the role of plate tectonics. a With what environmental factors is the distribution of tapirs associated? b Fossil tapirs are found in the Northern U.S. and Canada. What can you surmise about the climate of North America at the time tapirs lived there? C Did tapirs evolve on Laurasia or on Gondwana? d Explain the present-day discontinuous distribution of tapirs. Why are tapirs in Southeast Asia? e Why are tapirs in Central and South America? (Hint: What allowed tapirs to migrate to South America?) f Does Africa have habitat for tapirs? Why are tapirs absent from Africa? 4 PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus) a Describe the distribution of pineapple. b Pineapple is in the bromeliad family. Other bromeliads are restricted to the Central and South American tropics. Where did bromeliads evolve? c Why is the pineapple distribution so extensive? (Hint: Is it a natural distribution or not?) d Name other plants with distributions due to the same factors as pineapple.
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