Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
07:16
Thermal Limits Determination for Zooplankton Using a Heat Block
Published on: November 18, 2022
Geographic range limits of species
1Biodiversity and Macroecology Group, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. k.j.gaston@sheffield.ac.uk
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|March 28, 2009
Summary
Species geographic range limits are shaped by dispersal, interactions, and physiology. Understanding these factors is crucial for predicting biodiversity patterns and evolutionary trajectories in a changing world.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and evolutionary biology
- Biogeography
- Species distribution modeling
Background:
- Geographic range limits are fundamental to ecological and evolutionary processes.
- Rapid advancements are occurring in understanding the drivers and patterns of species distributions.
- This themed issue explores diverse research on the determinants of geographic range boundaries.
Discussion:
- Investigates the roles of dispersal limitation, species interactions, and physiological constraints.
- Examines broad patterns in the structure and formation of geographic ranges.
- Addresses the evolutionary capacity of species to overcome distributional limits.
Key Insights:
- Dispersal, biotic interactions, and physiological tolerances are key determinants of species' geographic limits.
- Geographic range structures reveal insights into ecological and evolutionary processes.
- Evolutionary stasis in overcoming environmental constraints explains range boundaries.
Outlook:
- Future research should integrate multiple factors influencing range limits.
- Understanding range dynamics is critical for conservation in the face of climate change.
- Further exploration of evolutionary limits to species spread is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers
A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...
00:59Range
The range is one of the measures of variation. It can be defined as the difference between a dataset's highest and lowest values. For example, in the study of seven 16-ounce soda cans, the filled volume of soda was measured, thus producing the following amount (in ounces) of soda:
15.9; 16.1; 15.2; 14.8; 15.8; 15.9; 16.0; 15.5
Measurements of the amount of soda in a 16-ounce can vary since different subjects record these measurements or since the exact amount - 16 ounces of liquid, was not...
15.9; 16.1; 15.2; 14.8; 15.8; 15.9; 16.0; 15.5
Measurements of the amount of soda in a 16-ounce can vary since different subjects record these measurements or since the exact amount - 16 ounces of liquid, was not...
00:54Distribution and Dispersion
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with their environment and with one another. An important aspect of ecology is understanding where species are found and how individuals are distributed within those areas. The geographic range of a species refers to the total area where its members are located, while dispersion describes the pattern of spacing of individuals within that range.Geographic Range and Dispersion PatternsWithin a species’ geographic range, individuals may be distributed...
01:38Limits to Natural Selection
Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
02:02Ecological Niches
All organisms have a position within an ecosystem. The complete set of living and nonliving factors—including food resources, climate, and terrain—that define the position of a given organism are collectively referred to as the organism’s ecological niche.Multiple species cannot occupy the exact same niche within their habitat. If the niches of two or more species overlap to a large extent, the competitive exclusion principle dictates that one species will outcompete the other, forcing it to...
00:53Migration
Migration is long-range, seasonal movement from one region or habitat to another. This common strategy, carried out by many different organisms around the world, is an adaptive response that typically corresponds to changes in an organism’s environment, like resource availability or climate. Migrations can involve huge groups of thousands of animals as well as single individuals traveling alone and can range from thousands of kilometers to just a few hundred meters.