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Biogeography definitions

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  • Biogeography
    Study of how and why organisms are distributed across geographic regions and through time, integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives.
  • Dispersal
    Movement of individuals or gametes from their birthplace to new locations, enabling population establishment in different areas.
  • Endemic Species
    Organisms naturally restricted to a single geographic area, often due to limited ability to move or colonize new regions.
  • Ecosystem
    Community of living organisms interacting with nonliving components, influencing species distribution and abundance.
  • Biotic Factors
    Living elements such as predators, vegetation, and competitors that affect where and how species exist within an environment.
  • Abiotic Factors
    Nonliving environmental components like temperature, water, and soil composition that shape the presence and success of organisms.
  • Net Primary Productivity
    Estimate of organic matter available as food in a region, reflecting an ecosystem's capacity to support life.
  • Amazon Rainforest
    Region with exceptionally high net primary productivity, supporting vast biodiversity due to abundant organic resources.
  • Sahara Desert
    Area characterized by low net primary productivity, resulting in limited food resources and sparse life forms.
  • Predators
    Organisms that consume other living beings, influencing population sizes and distribution within ecosystems.
  • Herbivores
    Animals that feed on plants, impacting vegetation patterns and the structure of biological communities.
  • Pollinators
    Agents, often animals or wind, that transfer pollen, facilitating plant reproduction and affecting plant distribution.
  • Parasites
    Organisms that live on or in a host, deriving nutrients at the host's expense and influencing host populations.
  • Pathogens
    Microorganisms or agents causing disease, affecting the health and distribution of host species in ecosystems.