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🌾World Biogeography

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10.5 Pleistocene biogeography

8 min read•Last Updated on August 21, 2024

The Pleistocene epoch, spanning from 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago, dramatically shaped global biogeography. Characterized by cyclical climate changes, this period saw repeated glaciations that profoundly impacted species distributions, evolution, and extinction patterns worldwide.

Pleistocene biogeography left a lasting legacy on modern ecosystems. The epoch's climate fluctuations drove species range shifts, created refugia, and influenced speciation rates. Understanding these historical processes is crucial for interpreting current biodiversity patterns and informing conservation strategies.

Pleistocene epoch overview

  • Encompasses the most recent period of repeated glaciations, shaping global biogeography and species distributions
  • Significant impact on evolution, extinction, and migration patterns of flora and fauna worldwide
  • Crucial for understanding current biodiversity patterns and species adaptations in different ecosystems

Timeframe and climate

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  • Spans from approximately 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago
  • Characterized by cyclical climate changes alternating between glacial and interglacial periods
  • Average global temperatures fluctuated by 5-7°C between glacial maxima and interglacial periods
  • Atmospheric CO2 levels varied from ~180 ppm during glacials to ~280 ppm during interglacials

Ice ages and glaciations

  • Multiple glacial-interglacial cycles occurred throughout the Pleistocene
  • Glacial periods lasted ~100,000 years, while interglacials lasted ~10,000-30,000 years
  • Ice sheets covered up to 30% of Earth's land surface during glacial maxima
  • Laurentide Ice Sheet in North America and Fennoscandian Ice Sheet in Europe were major ice masses

Sea level fluctuations

  • Global sea levels fluctuated by up to 120-140 meters between glacial and interglacial periods
  • Lowered sea levels exposed continental shelves, creating land bridges (Beringia, Sunda Shelf)
  • Higher sea levels during interglacials submerged coastal areas and created islands
  • Altered coastlines and ocean circulation patterns influenced climate and species distributions

Pleistocene fauna

  • Characterized by diverse assemblages of large mammals and other vertebrates across continents
  • Adaptations to cold climates and changing environments were common among many species
  • Extinction events at the end of the Pleistocene significantly impacted global biodiversity

Megafauna characteristics

  • Large body size typically exceeding 44 kg (100 lbs) in adult mass
  • Included mammals, birds, and reptiles adapted to various Pleistocene environments
  • Often exhibited specialized features for cold climates (woolly coats, large fat reserves)
  • Many were keystone species, shaping ecosystems through grazing, browsing, and predation

Notable extinct species

  • Woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) roamed Eurasia and North America
  • Saber-toothed cats (Smilodon spp.) were apex predators in the Americas
  • Giant ground sloths (Megatherium) inhabited South America
  • Australian megafauna included Diprotodon (giant wombat) and Thylacoleo (marsupial lion)

Survival adaptations

  • Thick fur and subcutaneous fat layers for insulation against cold (woolly rhinoceros)
  • Enlarged body size to conserve heat (Bergmann's rule) (cave bears)
  • Seasonal migration to avoid extreme temperatures and find food resources (mammoths)
  • Dietary flexibility to cope with changing plant communities (mastodon)

Pleistocene flora

  • Plant communities underwent significant changes in response to climate fluctuations
  • Adaptations to cold and dry conditions were common among many plant species
  • Distribution patterns shifted latitudinally and altitudinally with changing climates

Tundra vs taiga

  • Tundra dominated high latitudes during glacial periods, characterized by low-growing plants
    • Key species included sedges, grasses, mosses, and dwarf shrubs
  • Taiga (boreal forest) expanded during interglacials, dominated by coniferous trees
    • Spruce, pine, and larch were common taiga species
  • Transition zones between tundra and taiga shifted with climate changes

Refugia importance

  • Served as sheltered areas where species could survive during unfavorable climate periods
  • Allowed for persistence of temperate species during glacial maxima
    • (Southern European peninsulas, Caucasus Mountains)
  • Acted as sources for recolonization during interglacial periods
  • Contributed to genetic diversity and speciation through isolation of populations

Plant adaptations

  • Development of cold-resistant tissues and dormancy mechanisms (Arctic willow)
  • Reduced leaf size and waxy cuticles to minimize water loss (Dryas octopetala)
  • Wind pollination strategies to cope with lack of insect pollinators in cold environments
  • Rapid life cycles to take advantage of short growing seasons (Arctic poppy)

Human impact

  • Human activities during the Pleistocene had significant effects on global ecosystems
  • Expansion of early human populations coincided with major changes in fauna and flora
  • Technological advancements allowed humans to adapt to diverse environments

Homo species dispersal

  • Multiple Homo species coexisted during the Pleistocene (H. erectus, H. neanderthalensis)
  • Homo sapiens emerged in Africa ~300,000 years ago and spread globally
  • Interbreeding occurred between different Homo species (Neanderthals, Denisovans)
  • Cognitive and technological advancements facilitated adaptation to various environments

Megafauna extinction debate

  • Late Pleistocene saw widespread extinction of large mammals, particularly in the Americas
  • Overkill hypothesis suggests human hunting as primary cause of megafauna extinctions
  • Climate change hypothesis attributes extinctions to habitat loss during warming periods
  • Synergistic effects of human activities and climate change likely contributed to extinctions

Early human migrations

  • Humans crossed Beringia land bridge to populate Americas ~15,000-20,000 years ago
  • Coastal migration routes allowed rapid dispersal along continental margins
  • Island hopping in Southeast Asia led to colonization of Australia ~65,000 years ago
  • European expansion occurred in multiple waves, replacing or mixing with earlier hominins

Biogeographical patterns

  • Pleistocene climate fluctuations dramatically influenced species distributions
  • Alternating periods of isolation and connectivity shaped evolutionary processes
  • Modern biogeographic patterns reflect the legacy of Pleistocene environmental changes

Species range shifts

  • Latitudinal and altitudinal shifts in response to changing temperatures and precipitation
  • Poleward expansion of temperate species during interglacials
  • Equatorward contraction of ranges during glacial periods
  • Vertical migration in mountainous regions (upslope during warm periods, downslope during cold)

Isolation vs connectivity

  • Glacial periods created barriers (ice sheets, deserts) isolating populations
  • Lowered sea levels during glacials connected previously isolated landmasses
  • Interglacial periods allowed for range expansions and population mixing
  • Alternating isolation and connectivity influenced genetic diversity and speciation rates

Speciation and extinction rates

  • Allopatric speciation occurred in isolated refugia during glacial periods
  • Adaptive radiation in newly available habitats during interglacials
  • Increased extinction rates during rapid climate transitions
  • Overall balance between speciation and extinction varied across taxa and regions

Continental impacts

  • Pleistocene climate changes had distinct effects on different continents
  • Continental configurations and geographic features influenced biogeographic patterns
  • Unique assemblages of flora and fauna developed on each continent

Beringia land bridge

  • Connected Siberia and Alaska during glacial periods when sea levels were low
  • Allowed bidirectional migration of plants and animals between Eurasia and North America
  • Supported distinctive steppe-tundra ecosystem (Mammoth steppe)
  • Served as a refugium for cold-adapted species during interglacials

Sahul vs Sunda shelves

  • Sahul Shelf connected Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea during low sea levels
  • Sunda Shelf united Southeast Asian islands (Java, Sumatra, Borneo)
  • Wallace Line marked biogeographic boundary between Sunda and Sahul regions
  • Distinct faunal assemblages evolved on either side of Wallace Line (marsupials vs placentals)

European biotic changes

  • Alternating expansion and contraction of ice sheets shaped species distributions
  • Mediterranean peninsulas served as important glacial refugia
  • Recolonization of northern areas during interglacials led to decreased genetic diversity
  • Extinction of many large mammals by the end of the Pleistocene (woolly rhinoceros, cave bear)

Island biogeography

  • Pleistocene sea level fluctuations dramatically affected island ecosystems
  • Cycles of isolation and connectivity influenced evolution and extinction on islands
  • Island biotas often exhibited unique adaptations and high levels of endemism

Island size fluctuations

  • Lower sea levels during glacials increased island sizes and connected some islands to mainlands
  • Higher sea levels during interglacials reduced island areas and isolated populations
  • Changes in island size affected carrying capacity and population viability
  • Influenced speciation rates and extinction risk for island-dwelling species

Colonization vs extinction

  • Lowered sea levels facilitated colonization of islands by mainland species
  • Isolation during high sea levels promoted in situ evolution and endemism
  • Smaller islands experienced higher extinction rates during sea level rises
  • Repeated cycles of colonization and extinction shaped island community composition

Endemism development

  • Isolated island populations diverged from mainland relatives over time
  • Adaptive radiation occurred in novel island environments (Galapagos finches)
  • Unique selective pressures led to island gigantism or dwarfism in some lineages
  • High endemism rates on islands that remained isolated throughout Pleistocene fluctuations

Legacy in modern ecosystems

  • Pleistocene environmental changes continue to influence contemporary ecosystems
  • Understanding Pleistocene biogeography is crucial for interpreting current species distributions
  • Conservation efforts often aim to preserve Pleistocene relicts and address past impacts

Relict populations

  • Isolated populations that persist in areas resembling past climatic conditions
  • Often found in montane or high-latitude regions (Giant sequoia in California)
  • May exhibit genetic and morphological differences from more widespread relatives
  • Provide insights into past species distributions and evolutionary processes

Community structure influences

  • Modern community assemblages reflect Pleistocene species interactions and extinctions
  • Loss of megafauna altered vegetation structure in many ecosystems
  • Some mutualisms persist despite extinction of original partners (large-seeded plants)
  • Pleistocene climatic legacies affect current species coexistence patterns

Genetic bottlenecks

  • Many species experienced population reductions during Pleistocene climate changes
  • Resulted in decreased genetic diversity in some contemporary populations
  • Influenced by range contractions, habitat fragmentation, and founder effects
  • Can affect species' adaptive potential and resilience to current environmental changes

Pleistocene rewilding concept

  • Proposed conservation strategy aimed at restoring Pleistocene-like ecosystems
  • Based on the idea that modern ecosystems are functionally incomplete due to megafauna extinctions
  • Controversial approach with both supporters and critics in the scientific community

Ecological justifications

  • Restore top-down regulation of ecosystems by large herbivores and carnivores
  • Promote heterogeneity in vegetation structure and composition
  • Reestablish lost ecological interactions and nutrient cycling processes
  • Increase resilience of ecosystems to current and future environmental changes

Potential species introductions

  • Proxy species for extinct megafauna (elephants for mammoths in North America)
  • Reintroduction of extant species to former parts of their range (bison in Europe)
  • Restoration of predator-prey dynamics (large carnivores in North America)
  • Consideration of de-extinction technologies for recently extinct species

Criticisms and challenges

  • Ethical concerns regarding introduction of non-native species
  • Potential negative impacts on existing ecosystems and human activities
  • Uncertainty about the ecological roles of extinct species
  • Logistical and financial challenges of large-scale rewilding projects
  • Debate over appropriate baselines and targets for ecosystem restoration