What is a species range in biology: definition. The structure of the range of the species. The meaning of the word "range" Dictionary of medical terms
Individuals of any species live in nature extremely unevenly. In some corners of the Earth, you can find a large species diversity, while in others only a small number lives. What determines their particular habitat? What is a species range? What are its signs? We'll talk about this further.
Species as a taxonomic unit
To begin with, it is worth understanding what a view is. This is the main taxonomic category. It is a small group of living organisms, similar in morphological features, freely interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
The view has several criteria. First, the morphological features that have already been mentioned in the definition. Individuals of the same species have a similar appearance. Secondly, a physical and biochemical sign. This is a sign of how cells and organs work. Behavior is also important. In individuals of the same species, it is similar. A genetic trait indicates the same number of chromosomes, as well as their structure. Due to this, individuals interbreed freely. The last geographical indicator indicates that the species lives in a certain area. The habitat of a particular species is called its range. Areology is a science that studies species.
The concept of range
Regardless of whether individuals live in the water area or on land, they are distributed within this area. In other words, the geographic range of a species is the area of geographic distribution of the species. Here they go through all their development. What is the range of the species, we figured it out. Now let's find out what types exist.
Range types
The area has several classifications. Depending on the integrity, it is continuous and dissected. On the territory of a continuous range, the species is distributed evenly throughout its entire length. Such an area does not form significant gaps. A dissected area is one that is disjunctive, broken. This is due to any natural processes that can globally change environmental conditions. For example, the Ice Age once greatly affected habitats in Eurasia.
Alpine species are a striking example of species with disjunctive ranges. A separate type of dissected area is relic. Its characteristic feature is that it is constantly declining, since there is no possibility of resuming the taxon in this area due to its almost complete disappearance. Species distributed in such areas are also called endemic. It should be noted that relics and endemics differ from each other. Endemics are individuals that are distributed only in a small area, and relics are rare species of individuals that have survived from geological times. The first, for example, are found in Lake Baikal. There is a concept in biology that is completely opposite to endemism. This is cosmopolitanism. What is it?
Who are cosmopolitans?
There are few cosmopolitan species, but it is these individuals that are found in most of the globe. As a rule, cosmopolitans are inhabitants of the biotope. An example is the killer whale, edible mussel. Naturally, there are also cosmopolitan plants. For example, stinging nettle. There is also another classification of areas. It is about her that we will now talk.
Absolute and relative ranges
So, ranges are absolute and relative. How do they differ? The first category includes areas with such phenomena that do not occur outside the given habitat.
For example, a certain species of individuals lives in a given area, but it cannot be found in any other place. The relative area, on the contrary, includes the phenomena concentrated in it, that is, they can be found outside the given habitat. In general, any group of animals living in the same territory is interconnected.
habitat of the species
It can be a struggle for existence, food, territory, that is, for signs that are limited. Due to interspecific competitive relations, a species can occupy one territory, but as a result it occupies a completely different one. These areas are different. A habitat that can be occupied by a species is called an autecological range. And the area occupied by the species in nature, in fact, is called synecological. Potential, that is, autecological, is most often wider in area. Their optia can either coincide or differ. The same can be said about ecological niches. A species can occupy a fundamental (potential) niche, but it occupies an actual one.
Range mapping
All this is also a consequence of interspecific competition. Areas are not just studied, they are put on paper in order to make maps. What is a species range? The following method can serve as a good example.
Mapping is one of the most important research methods. Where does it begin? Since ancient times, it began with finding the place of the range. Now, with the accumulation of a lot of knowledge and information, it is easier to create a map. Modern literature contains a huge amount of information on the accounting of individuals living in a certain territory, their relationships. To summarize this material, maps of the spatial structure of species ranges are created. The information applied to mapping should follow the same method of finding. The number of species and adaptability to the environment reflect the level of compliance of environmental factors with the conditions imposed by the species.
The maps reflect information about the change in the number of individuals, favorable environmental conditions. Mapping is an important source for creating conservation maps. When mapping, a cenoarea is distinguished - this is the potential that ensures the abundance of a species in a certain part of the habitat, compared with its other parts. What else is range mapping important?
It plays an important role in zoography. The map shows the distribution of individuals within the range, their prevalence and ecological role. A map is a kind of picture of spatial organization that helps in identifying patterns in the distribution of individuals.
There is a specific period for creating maps. It is called the stage of cartographic maturity of the object. This stage comes only when the range is well studied, and complete information about the individuals and the patterns of their distribution has been collected.
Place of the species in nature
We learned what the range of a species is, what types of it exist. The role of area mapping is also known. Therefore, we can conclude that the habitat of the species corresponds to the characteristics presented by this very species.
area
m.
The area of distribution of some phenomena, species of animals, plants, useful
fossils, etc.
area
(lat. arealis, adj. from area area, space) The area of distribution of a phenomenon.
Ozhegov's dictionary
ARE BUT L, a, m.(specialist.). Area of distribution of something. on the earth's surface, on which territory.
| adj. areal, oh, oh.
Anthropological explanatory dictionary
area
geographical area, area in which a certain group of living organisms (population, species, etc.) is distributed. The primary area is the territory of origin, from which the group can later spread to other spaces - the secondary area.
Modern economic dictionary. 1999
AREAL
(from lat. area - area, space)
Dictionary of economic terms
area
(from lat. area- area, space)
an economic-geographical concept meaning a territory, an area within which phenomena or characteristic features are observed that are not characteristic of other adjacent, nearby regions.
Dictionary of linguistic terms
Beginnings of Modern Natural Science. Thesaurus
area
(from lat. area - area, space) - the area of \u200b\u200bdistribution on the earth's surface (including in the space near this surface) of any phenomenon (s), certain species of animals, plants, birds, insects, minerals, etc.
Dictionary of sociolinguistic terms
encyclopedic Dictionary
area
(from Latin area - area, space), the area of distribution on the earth's surface of any phenomena, certain species (genera, families, etc.) of animals and plants, minerals, etc. On geographical maps, the area is transmitted by limiting it to lines of different colors and patterns, coloring, shading, and other techniques.
Encyclopedia "Biology"
area
The area of natural distribution of organisms of a certain species, genus, family, etc. Depending on the configuration, it can be continuous or discontinuous. The rupture of the range can be caused by the presence of water spaces, high mountains, environmental conditions unfavorable for the existence of the organism, etc. Under the influence of external conditions (including human activity), the ranges can expand or contract, up to complete disappearance. The scientific basis of their origin and development is studied by chorology.
Glossary of environmental terms and definitions
area
the area of distribution of organisms of a certain species, genus, family or some other systematic category. At present, under the influence of anthropogenic factors, the A. of many plant and animal species associated with natural ecosystems has decreased and become discontinuous. At the same time, A. species adapted to human economic activity, on the contrary, are expanding. In the steppe zone of the Russian Federation, for example, in recent years, the A. of many species of feather grass (pinnate, Zalessky, the most beautiful, Lessing) has sharply decreased and become discontinuous, but the A. of the hairy feather grass, resistant to grazing, has expanded. A. are investigated by biogeography (botanical geography and zoogeography). These sciences use special classifications of A., which reflect the patterns of distribution of species along a latitudinal gradient (i.e., by zones - arctic, taiga, broad-leaved forests, forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert, desert), by geographical sectors (Far Eastern, East Siberian, West Siberian, East European, West European, etc.) and along altitudinal zones (Subalpine, Alpine, etc.). A. of different species differ in size, there are endemic species that are distributed in a small area (sometimes on one mountain top), and, conversely, with A., which cover several continents. Wide A. are characteristic of species whose distribution is associated with human activity. The analysis of A. species of natural flora and fauna is an element of biological monitoring and a system for the protection of flora and fauna.
Sentences with "area"
Different ethnic processes took place in different parts of the Chernyakhovsky area.
It is now clear that the opinion that was recently widespread in the literature, according to which the area of \u200b\u200bthe original residence of the Slavs should be distinguished by the greatest concentration of Slavic hydronymy or purely Slavic water names, is erroneous.
It is quite obvious that such a situation could only take place if the Slavs lived in this area for a long time.
In the western part of the Przeworsk area, in the vicinity of the Elbe Germans, the Burgundians lived.
Having expelled the devil from everything that was at hand, Palych ran into the need to expand the range.
And this, in turn, changes the circulation of air and the habitat of underground organisms.
Races differ not only in appearance, but also geographically, i.e. any race in its formation has a separate habitat.
After the so-called Neolithic revolution, the population constantly grew, separate groups broke off and left this area all the time.
Consequently, the range of these archaic hydronyms cannot in any way correspond to the ancestral home of the Slavs, as some researchers believe.
When the foundations of the language of the Slavs were laid, they lived in the area of ancient European hydronyms and used them.
Representatives of any biological taxon can only settle in a certain area of land or ocean. Such a territory is called the range of a species, genus, family of any organisms.
What is the range of a species in biology. Definition
This is a certain section of the mainland or the World Ocean, on which populations of a certain species live for a long time. The science that studies areas is called areaology. It belongs to the section of biogeology, because. includes both taxonomic groups of organisms and their habitat.
Despite the fact that the concept only describes species, scientists also study the habitats of other genera, families, or subspecies. Of these taxa, the study of subspecific ranges plays an important role, since they can give a clear picture of the development of evolutionary events in a given territory. Therefore, the range of a species is a criterion for evolution.
What is the difference between location and area?
A location is a point on the map where representatives of a particular species were found. A confirmation of a new open point is always the herbarium of plants, where the exact growth guidelines are signed. The locations of animals are often described, after which these points are plotted on a map of the range of the species and studied.
What is a species range? In fact, this is a collection of locations of the same species / subspecies of plants and animals. It doesn't matter if these places are nearby or not. In any case, they show a general picture of the distribution of organisms.
3 types of range maps
Depending on how accurately the range of a given species needs to be described, three types of maps are used:
1. Dot map. It is always plotted as small dots of the location of populations of the species.
2. Dot-contour map. The main habitats of the species are also plotted here, however, in addition to this, the extreme points on the map are outlined. As a result, we see an area inside which the places of distribution of animals and plants are drawn.
3. Contour-dashed is the least accurate. It is characterized by a certain area, which is completely painted over with strokes.
Here is what the range of a species is and how it can be represented.
Types of habitats
Depending on how the range is located on land or in the ocean, it can be large or small, narrow or wide, continuous or discontinuous. Each of these characteristics can be combined with the others. For example, the range of a crow is wide and discontinuous, while that of a kangaroo is small, narrow, but continuous.
Continuous ranges are divided into subspecies. Among them are:
1. Shingles. This type of range is characteristic of most families and genera. It spreads along the latitude, along the entire length of the land, and often occupies decent distances.
2. Oval areas, on the contrary, are elongated along the meridian. This type is always limited to a natural belt. Many species of organisms and some genera/families have an oval range.
3. Circumpolar. Such areas cover the polar zones.
4. Radiant, or fringed, - areas of irregular shape, with many convolutions, branches and irregularities on the map.
In turn, discontinuous ranges are also divided into subtypes:
1. Disjunctive (broken) areas. This type is characterized by two or more habitats of the same species, which are located far from each other. For example, one part of the range may be in Europe, and the other in America.
2. Point areas. Their peculiarity is that they unite a large number of small ranges of this species throughout the land or ocean.
3. Band areas. They represent a continuous area, which was torn apart by deserts, abysses, mountain ranges.
The structure of the range of the species. How are range boundaries established?
What is the range of a species and its boundaries? The structure of the range depends on many factors. Depending on their influence, different boundaries of the species habitat are formed on the map. Why are range boundaries formed? Why are they not continuous and do not spread over the entire territory of the land?
1. Climatic boundaries. Such as light intake, humidity, salinity, soil composition, can greatly affect the distribution of the species. Some organisms can adapt to such a climate in which others simply die.
2. Impenetrable boundaries. Such boundaries are formed due to the fact that a population of a certain species cannot overcome any barrier. These can be mountains, steppes, tundras, deserts, large reservoirs, etc. This also includes human structures.
3. Biotic boundaries. The problem of competition in the world of animals and plants has always been at the forefront. An organism cannot live and reproduce in a territory where potential enemies are present. Therefore, some species avoid others, thereby forming the boundaries between the ranges of representatives of the two groups.
Range formation factors
What is an area in biology is now clear, but how is it formed? What factors contribute to this?
The first and most important is the ability of plants and animals to live only in places suitable for their existence. For example, pigeons cannot live at the North Pole, but they have adapted perfectly to many other habitats. It all depends on the amplitude and also on the ability to propagate. So, thanks to the wings, insects have mastered almost all corners of the planet, while the range of earthworms is much smaller.
The second factor is the current environmental conditions. The life of organisms is influenced more and more. Man can help and preserve species, or he can pollute nature, destroy it, draw on the limited resources of wood, ores, and combustible fuel.
Do not forget about natural phenomena, which can also contribute to or, conversely, complicate the development of a particular species. Weathering, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms, tornadoes - all this affects the life of organisms, and, accordingly, their distribution.
Finally, one of the factors is the age of the taxonomic group. For example, the gymnosperms were once a thriving division of the plant kingdom. Today, however, angiosperms dominate the ecosystem. This is due primarily to the process of evolution of organisms and, to a lesser extent, to natural processes that once took place in the habitat. That's what the range of the species is.
AREAL(from Latin area- area, space), part of the earth's surface (territory or water area), within which a given taxon (species, genus, family, etc., or some type of community) is distributed and undergoes a full cycle of its development. The range is an integral part of the characteristics of any taxon, as well as its morphological and ecological features. The space in which a species develops is called primary range. The formed range can then expand as a result of dispersal or decrease due to the extinction (or destruction) of the species in parts of the space inhabited by it. The area is called solid, if the species is found in all suitable habitats within its range (for example, Siberian spruce in the middle taiga of the European part of Russia) or regularly in some parts of them (for example, in the north of the forest zone, cranberries grow more or less regularly on peat bogs). Sometimes, at the border of its range, the species inhabits isolated areas, which are called insular localities. If the range breaks up into several disconnected territories, so remote from each other that the exchange of seeds or spores between plants or the migration of animals is impossible, it is called discontinuous or disjunctive. For example, the range of some species of saxifrage is the regions of high mountains and the arctic tundra, the range of the hare hare in Europe is the islands of Ireland, Iceland, areas of the northern part of Great Britain, the Alps, northwestern Europe and the European part of Russia. Residual, very limited ranges of ancient species (genera or families), which once occupied vast territories, are called relic(for example, ginkgo). The ranges also differ in size: from the most extensive in area, characteristic of cosmopolitans, to insignificant, characteristic of endemics. Depending on the area occupied and the zonal confinement of any taxon, one speaks of its subtropical, pantropical, bipolar, circumboreal range. The range of many species of animals and plants is undergoing ever-increasing changes under the influence of human activities. The clearing of forests, the plowing of steppes, and the drainage of marshes lead to the disappearance of biotopes of a large number of species and, consequently, to a reduction in their ranges, and sometimes to the death of autochthonous species. At the same time, disturbance or radical change in the vegetation cover can create habitats accessible to allochthonous species, that is, it leads to the expansion of their ranges. Visual representations of various areas are obtained as a result of drawing it on a map; usually the area of the range is limited by a solid line that connects the extreme habitats of the taxon. Area maps are widely used for clarification and comparative study of plant and animal resources, the distribution of pests of forest species, agricultural crops, carriers of pathogens of various diseases, etc.
What is an area?
- area - the area of \u200b\u200bdistribution of something on the earth's surface, in any territory. For example, penguins: their range is Antractida
- The area of distribution on land or in various water bodies of a systematic group of living organisms. The area is primary if the evolutionary formation of the species took place in it. The formed range can further expand due to the dispersal of individuals of a given species or narrow as a result of the extinction of some organisms. For endemic species, the ranges are usually continuous, and organisms are more or less evenly distributed throughout the area. In other cases, the ranges become discontinuous as a result of the presence of geographical, ecological or biological barriers over vast areas. The same ranges are typical for widespread species.
- biological term denoting the area of distribution of a taxon, such as a species. One of the basic concepts in biological disciplines that study the geographical distribution of organisms is plant geography and zoogeography.
- The link is blocked by the decision of the project administration
- AREAL (from lat. area area, space), the area of \u200b\u200bdistribution on the earth's surface of any phenomena, certain species (genera, families, etc.) of animals and plants, minerals, etc. On geographical maps, the area is transmitted by limiting it to lines of different colors and patterns, coloring, shading, and other techniques.
- (from lat. area area, space), the area of distribution on the earth's surface of systematic groups of living organisms or communities. The study of the range of species or other taxa of plants and animals is one of the central problems of biogeography, which is of great interest from an ecology point of view. The boundaries of the range of animals or plants were formed in the process of evolution of the biosphere and depend on environmental conditions. They can change under the influence of natural factors (an increase in the number of species), the influence of human activity (during deforestation, plowing the steppes, environmental pollution, etc.).
- habitat, area of distribution
- AREAL (from lat. area - area, space), the area of \u200b\u200bdistribution on the earth's surface of any phenomena, certain species (genera, families, etc.) of animals and plants, minerals, etc. On geographical maps the area is transmitted by limiting it with lines of different colors and patterns, coloring, shading, and other techniques.
- the area where the living thing is found. plant or animal.
e.g. distribution area of the Bengal tiger - Area # 769; l (from lat. area: area) is a biological term denoting the area of distribution of a taxon, for example, a species. One of the basic concepts in biological disciplines that study the geographical distribution of organisms is plant geography and zoogeography.
The range of a species is a combination of species requirements with a certain amount of environmental conditions over a wide area. However, this ecological-geographic conjugation of species is complicated by changes in the physiographic conditions in the past, climate, vegetation cover, the shape of the earth's surface, etc. Therefore, the range of a species is the summed effect of modern and previous conditions. As a result, in the geographical distribution of species and their complexes of floras for plants and faunas for animals, a number of irregularities and their own patterns are observed.
For most species, the range is geographically continuous, but for many species it is broken, often due to global natural processes that have radically changed the ecology in certain places of their original habitat. One of the most important reasons for the formation of broken areas, for example, in Eurasia, was the ice age and xerothermal interglacial periods; as a result, a number of northern forms were brought far to the south, and some southern forms penetrated to the north. In these parts cut off from the continuous range, such species are relics, in the example cited, glacial and xerothermic. Therefore, special types of broken areas are associated with them:
A dissected area is an area that does not form a single integrity. Characteristic, as a rule, for relict taxa;
The relict area is an area that tends to decrease. A sign of relictness is the inability to renew in the territory previously occupied by the taxon after a catastrophic disappearance (due to fires, etc.)
Quite often, the evolution of a species to the modern period ended with its differentiation into a pair or several very close, externally seemingly identical species, which, upon closer study, turn out to be different. Such sibling species can be either heterogeneous or allopatric, in the absence of intersection of their ranges, or sympatric, with partial intersection or complete overlap of their ranges.