Topic Introduction

In this topic, we build on the material presented in Module 1, examining how the break-up of Gondwana influenced the development of floras and faunas in the five tropical regions. This is a topic that is quite controversial, and new information is always emerging. Because it is so central to explaining the species richness and composition of tropical forests, we will return to this theme on a number of occasions in this and the accompanying course (“Ecological processes in tropical forests”). Here, we provide you with a basic introduction to the subject of biogeography, and why it is so relevant to understanding the ecology of tropical forests.

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Describe the evolution of the five tropical forest regions.
• Explain how their faunas and floras developed.
• Compare the development of the floras in the different tropical regions.
• Evaluate the importance of long-distance dispersal.
• Evaluate the role of the breakup of Gondwana in the distribution of widespread plant families.

Topic Readings

Required Readings

• Ghazoul, J. and Sheil, D. 2010. Tropical rain Forest Ecology, Diversity, and Conservation. Oxford, Oxford University press. Section 6.2.

Optional Readings

• Corlett, R.T. 2009. The Ecology of Tropical East Asia. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Chapter 3.
• Cox, C.B., Moore, P.D. and Ladle, R. 2010. Biogeography. An ecological and evolutionary approach. 9^th edition. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons.
• Ebach, M.C. 2017. Reinvention of Australasian biogeography. Reform, revolt and rebellion. Clayton South, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. 180 pp.
• Kricher, J. 2011. Tropical Ecology. Princeton, New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press. Chapter 2.
• Lomolino, M.V., Riddle, B.R. and Brown, J.H. 2006. Biogeography. 3^rd edition. Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA: Sinauer Associates.
• Losos, J.B. and Ricklefs, R.E. 2010. The theory of island biogeography revisited. Princeton, New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press. 476 pp.
• MacArthur, R.H. and Wilson, E.O. 1967. The theory of island biogeography. Princeton, New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press.
• Morrone, J.J. 2009. Evolutionary biogeography: An integrative approach with case studies. New York, USA: Columbia University Press.
• Morrone, J.J. 2017. Neotropical Biogeography: Regionalization and Evolution. Boca Raton, Florida, USA: CRC Press.
• Rosenzweig, M.L. 1995. Species diversity in space and time. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 436 pp.
• Whittaker, R.J. 1998. Island biogeography: Ecology, evolution and conservation. Oxford, UK and New York, USA: Oxford University Press.

Fundamental Concepts

PPT Presentations

2.2.1 Biogeography of Tropical Rain Forests.pptx Download 2.2.1 Biogeography of Tropical Rain Forests.pptx

Self-check Quiz

After viewing topic presentations, take this self-check quiz to check your own progress. This quiz is designed to see how well you remember some of the more important issues presented in the module. There are five questions, and each has a potential of 4 answers, only one of which is correct. When you are ready, click the link Self-check Quiz 2.2 to start taking the quiz.

Pre-readings and Discussion (For certification)

After reading Section 6.2 of Ghazoul, J. and Sheil, D. (2010) Tropical rain Forest Ecology, Diversity, and Conservation, choose to post one thought provoking question related to the biogeography of tropical forests, and remember to answer/respond to at least one other student’s question on the discussion board Online Discussion Module 2 .

Graded Assignment (For certification)

• There is no graded assignment associated with this topic.

Topic Summary

This topic brings together the information that you have gained so far in this course. We look at how modern floras and faunas have evolved in the five tropical forest regions, and assess the role of plate tectonics in shaping the ecosystems.

Topic Self-review (For self learning)

To review what you have learned in the topic, you are encouraged to use the following reflection questions as a study guide to do a self-review for the topic:

• What is meant by a land route?
• How did monkeys get to the Neotropics?
• What level of biological exchange has occurred between North and South America?
• Why do we find species of Nothofagaceae, as well as a number of other families, in South America, Australia and New Zealand?
• How did Rhipsalis baccifera get to Madagascar and Sri Lanka?
• Do the tropical rain forests of Australia and Papua New Guinea constitute a separate biogeographic realm?