Question

Think of a biotic factor or an abiotic factor that could produce each of the patterns below. (This question is referring to the distribution of individuals within a single patch of habitat, not referring to metapopulations.)

a- Plants of a particular species are overdispersed within a habitat patch.

b.Animals of a particular species are overdispersed within a habitat patch.

Answer 1

Question:

(a): Over spreading means covering of whole surface by single species. Many biotic and abiotic factors affect the overspreading of individuals. In plant over-spreading, abiotic factors involve are: moisture content, soil type, temperature, availability of sun light. Whereas, biotic factors are pollinators, lack of predators, lack of compitition. Highly compititive plants are most likely to present over spreaded.

(b): In animal over-spreading, presence of predators who feed on other organisms except over spreaded is most common factor. Availability of food resources, temperature etc are few other factors.