Evolutionary Biogeography and Spatial Modeling

Recommended Prerequisites

Basics in ecology, molecular lab work and statistics

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes will be presented in power-point and oriented to stimulate the discussion on the topics covered. In the theoretical-practical classes, the students will learn about the laboratory and bioinformatic methods used in conservation genetics and in spatial modeling. This classes will also stimulate the reading and critical discussion of the topics covered in theoretical classes. The fieldwork will present the methods used to collect data for spatial modeling and conservation genetics. 

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit will allow the student to get acquainted with the distribution patterns of living beings and biodiversity on Earth, understand these patterns under the evolutionary focus and acquire skills in the methodologies used in conservation genetics and in spatial modeling applied to the distribution of species. The student should be able to interpret the underlying processes of evolutionary biogeography using distributional, phylogenetic, molecular, and fossil data to assess the historical changes that produced current biotic patterns and predict future patterns.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction and history of Biogeography: basic concepts, Humboldt’s legacy, the origin of modern biogeography

2. Biogeographical processes: continental drift, dispersal, vicariance, colonization, speciation, extinction

3. Patterns of species and biodiversity distribution: Habitats, niches, biogeographical regions, endemisms, communities and ecosystems

4. Species distribution modelling and GIS

5. The theory of island biogeography: neutral processes, types of islands, arriving on an island, species-area relationships, evolution and speciation on islands, adaptive radiation, insularity syndromes.

6. Biogeography and diversity in mountains: altitude, bioclimatic belts, the effect of topography and climate, evolution, microrefugia and climate change

7. Conservation biogeography

8. Conservation genetics applied to biogeography

Head Lecturer(s)

Susana Rodriguez Echeverria

Assessment Methods

Assessment method
Report of a seminar or field trip: 25.0%
Research work: 25.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

Biogeography: An ecological and evolutionary approach. 2016. Cox, Moore and Ladle. 9th edition. John Wiley & Sons.

 

Comparative biogeography: Discovering and Classifying Patterns of a Dynamic Earth. Parentu  and Ebach. University of California Press. 2009.

 

Fundamentals of biogeography. 2004. Huggett. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Origins of Biogeography. 2015. Ebach. Springer

 

Island Biogeography. 2007. Whittaker and Fernández-Palacios. Oxford University Press

The unified neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography. 2001. Hubbell. Princeton University Press

 

Specific scientific papers will be regularly provided and discussed in class.