CHAPTER 7 :

Relationship Between
Distribution & Abundance

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 Learning Outcome
Define distribution and abundance
Point out and distinguish the spatial scale
of geographic ranges
Illustrate the relationship between
distribution and abundance
Describe the Hanskis (1982) Rule

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 Distribution spatial arrangement of a
population members

Abundance- relative representatives of a

species in a particular ecosystem

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 Spatial scale of Geographic Ranges

How do we define a species geographic range?

Large
scale i. Worldwide
ii. Continental
iii. Regional
iv. Physiographic area
v. Cluster
vi. Locality
vii. Colony
viii.Clump

Smaller
scale
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Spatial scale of Geographic Ranges
i. Worldwide- entire world
ii. Continental- 7 continents, Africa, Antarctica, Asia,
Europe, North America, South America, Oceania

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Spatial scale of Geographic Ranges
iii. Regional- can be defined by physical characteristics,
human characteristics and functional characteristics

iv. Physiographic area- physical features of the area

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Spatial scale of Geographic Ranges
v. Cluster- group of a number of similar species

vi. Locality- a place or spot with or without reference

to things or persons in it or to occurrences there

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Spatial scale of Geographic Ranges
vii. Colony- a group of organisms of the same kind
living or growing in close association

vii. Clump- a small or close group of trees or animal sp.

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 Variations in
Geographic Range Size
Most species in a group have small geographic
ranges but few have large geographic ranges
birds and vascular plants shows the hollow
curve

Distribution Small geographic Large geographic

(geog. range) range range
Abundance Most species Few species

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 Correlation bet. Range Size
(Distribution) & Abundance
Data shows that common species (sp. that can be found
abundantly 300 indv.) generally tend to be widely distributed
On the other hand, rare/threatened species (sp. with least amount-
20 indv.) will have narrow distribution
Common/abundant species is not MOST SPECIES!!
Rare/threatened species is not FEW SPECIES!!

Small geographic Large geographic

Distribution
range range
(geographic range size)
(narrow distribution) (wide distribution)
Species %
(hollow Most species Few species
curve)
Abundance
Common
No. of ind. Rare- 20 indv.
-300 indv.
organism (Rafflesia sp.) 12
(coconut tree)
 more widespread
species generally
tend to be more
abundant

rare or threatened
sp. will have small
geographic range

Narrowly Widely
distributed distributed

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 more widespread species
(430 plots occupied)
generally tend to be more
abundant (80%)

Widespread species- plots occupied

Abundant- % coverage
Rare/threatened species (10
plots occupied) generally
tend to have small coverage
(less than 1%)

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 Rapoports Rule (Stevens, 1989)
Within the Mammals, geographic range size
decreases from polar to equator range is smaller in
tropics

Geographic
range
decrease

Geographic
range
decrease

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 Why do some follow Rapoports rule
while others dont? what are the
ecological mechanisms of such a
pattern?

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 Ecological Mechanism of Distribution Pattern

1. Climatic variability is greater at higher latitudes

(polar) animals need to have wide/broad tolerance
range (broad tolerance broad geography ranges)
2 predictions:
1)for terrestrial plants and animals tolerance for climate
should increase from tropics (lower latitude) to polar
(higher latitude)

2) for marine shallow water fish, temp tolerance is

minimal in both tropics and polar but wider at
temperate zones (wider temp fluctuations) Fig 8.4

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 Ecological Mechanism of Distribution Pattern

2. Glaciation hypothesis as glaciers melted at

North Hemisphere (higher latitude) only
species with high dispersal capacity were able
to repopulate and these species have wide
geographic ranges.

3. Lack of competition in polar communities

species can stay longer at polar area without
dispersing to other area.

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 Contour Map

A species geographic
distribution
Density falls off at
edges
Gradual decline of
density from centre to
edges.
There may also be
unexpected
boundaries due to
physiological and
biological factors

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 3 Reasons why Distribution
& Abundance are Correlated
Hanskis (1982) Rule
I. Sampling model
observed relationship
positive correlation has been shown
among birds, butterflies and mammals

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 3 Reasons why Distribution
& Abundance are Correlated
Hanskis (1982) Rule

II. Ecological Specialization Model

Browns Model
Species that can exploit a wide range of
resources, become widespread and
common

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 3 Reasons why Distribution
& Abundance are Correlated
Hanskis (1982) Rule
III. Local Population Model
Based on dispersal ability in local patches of
populations
Species differ in their capacity to disperse,
some occupy more patches
Species that disperse more, occupy more
patches and become more common, when
compared to less migratory species.
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 Distribution Range & Abundance

More widespread species generally

tend to be more abundant (disperse
more ---> common sp.)

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