Chapter 53, Problem 14TYK

Summary Introduction

To review:

Based on the predictions of the theory of island biogeography, develop and apply hypotheses about what might happen as patches of natural habitats get smaller and smaller.

Introduction:

Island biogeography is the study of factors that influence species composition and species richness on islands. MacArthur and Wilson developed the equilibrium theory of island biogeography to explain variations in species richness on islands of different size and different levels of isolation from other landmasses. They propose the hypothesis that the number of species on any island was governed by a give and take between two processes: the immigration of new species to the island and the extinction of native species of the island.