4.7 Article

Island biogeography is not a single-variable discipline: the small island effect debate

Journal

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Volume 18, Issue 1, Pages 92-96

Publisher

WILEY-BLACKWELL
DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00812.x

Keywords

Habitat diversity; islands; methods; species richness; species-area relationship; theory; thresholds

Funding

  1. FCT [SFRH/BPD/44306/2008]
  2. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [SFRH/BPD/44306/2008] Funding Source: FCT

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In some island systems, an anomalous feature of species richness on smaller islands, in comparison with larger ones, has been observed. This has been described as the small island effect (SIE). The precise meaning of the term remains unresolved, as does the explanation for the phenomenon and even whether it exists. Dengler (2010; Diversity Distrib, 16, 256266.) addresses a number of conceptual and methodological issues concerning the nature and the detection of the SIE but fails to settle conclusively most of the issues he raises. We contend that his approach is theoretically flawed, especially in its treatment of habitat diversity. We offer a few suggestions of what is needed to advance understanding of the SIE.

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