Biodiversity and Topographic Complexity: Modern and Geohistorical Perspectives

Catherine Badgley*, Tara M. Smiley, Rebecca Terry, Edward B. Davis, Larisa R.G. DeSantis, David L. Fox, Samantha S.B. Hopkins, Tereza Jezkova, Marjorie D. Matocq, Nick Matzke, Jenny L. McGuire, Andreas Mulch, Brett R. Riddle, V. Louise Roth, Joshua X. Samuels, Caroline A.E. Strömberg, Brian J. Yanites

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    198 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Topographically complex regions on land and in the oceans feature hotspots of biodiversity that reflect geological influences on ecological and evolutionary processes. Over geologic time, topographic diversity gradients wax and wane over millions of years, tracking tectonic or climatic history. Topographic diversity gradients from the present day and the past can result from the generation of species by vicariance or from the accumulation of species from dispersal into a region with strong environmental gradients. Biological and geological approaches must be integrated to test alternative models of diversification along topographic gradients. Reciprocal illumination among phylogenetic, phylogeographic, ecological, paleontological, tectonic, and climatic perspectives is an emerging frontier of biogeographic research.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)211-226
    Number of pages16
    JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
    Volume32
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

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