Biogeography

Biogeography studies distributional dynamics, from individual taxa to biomes, at a range of spatial and temporal scales (e.g. Cox and Moore, 2005). Biogeography transcends a wide range of subject areas, e.g. geology, geography, biology, palaeoecology and anthropology. Until recently, there has been little or no interaction between the main research strands that biogeography encompasses, with the principal divide existing between ‘ecological biogeography’ (typically concerned with ecological processes at small spatial and short temporal scales) and ‘historical biogeography’ (concerned with evolutionary and migratory processes over meso-macro spatio-temporal scales. However, these divisions are inherently interlinked and biogeographical patterns cannot be explained without a detailed understanding of the full spectrum of historical and ecological processes (e.g. Myers and Giller, 1994). In addition, an in-depth understanding of how biogeographic patterns reflect both past and present environmental conditions is key to generating a realistic picture of the likely impacts of future environmental change, and to the development of the discipline of Conservation Biogeography (Whittaker et al., 2005).

The main contribution of the biogeography research project will be to provide an overview of the spatial relationships of Eastern Arc taxa; results that will have temporal implications, and bridge research focused on the past, the present and the future. Specifically, the biogeography research project will establish phytogeographical patterns using different vegetation classifications and spatial scales that will be analysed with respect to signal coherence and divergence, their present-day environmental correlates, and the imprint of the past they carry. Furthermore, KITE research will address the likely impact of the numerous shortfalls and inadequacies inherent in the predictive analysis of biogeographical patterns. Research outputs will be drawn upon to structure and parameterise regional bioclimatic models.

Finally, given the immense contribution that biogeography could provide to conservation planning, a biogeographic evaluation of the Eastern Arc flora and its relationships to environmental factors and surrounding ecosystems, combined with other research strands within the KITE program, will provide research outputs to aid policy formulation, i.e. with respect to the development of responsive strategies for the conservation of species, ecosystem character and ecosystem services in the face of uncertain future climate projections.

Specific research questions
 

References

Cox, B.C. and Moore, P.D. (2005): Biogeography. An ecological and evolutionary approach. 7th Ed. Blackwell Publishing. Malden/Oxford/Victoria.

Myers, A.A. and Giller, P.S. (1994): Analytical Biogeography. An integrated approach to the study of animal and plant distributions. Chapman & Hall. London/New York/Tokyo/Melbourne/Madras.