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Island Biogeography Theory

Definition

Island Biogeography Theory is a concept that explains how the size and distance of an island affect the number of species that can inhabit it. It states that larger islands closer to the mainland will have more species diversity compared to smaller islands farther away.

Analogy

Imagine you're at a party. The bigger the party venue (island) and the closer it is to where people live (mainland), the more guests (species) you'll have attending. Smaller venues farther away will have fewer guests.

Related terms

Immigration: Immigration refers to the movement of individuals from one population to another. In island biogeography, immigration plays a crucial role in determining species diversity on an island.

Extinction: Extinction occurs when all members of a species die out. In island biogeography, extinction can happen if an isolated population on an island cannot sustain itself due to limited resources or other factors.

Species Diversity: Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species within a given area. Island biogeography theory helps explain patterns of species diversity on islands based on their size and distance from mainland sources.