Southern Research Station

Title: Topographic controls on the regional-scale biodiversity of the south-western USA

Author: Coblentz, David D.; Riitters, Kurt H.

Date: 2004

Source: Journal of Biogeography 31: 1125-1138

Description: Aim Topography is a fundamental geophysical observable that contains valuable information about the geodynamic, tectonic and climatic history of a region. Here, we extend the traditional uses of topographic analysis to evaluate the role played by topography in the distribution of regional-scale biodiversity in the south-western USA. An important aspect of our study is its ability to provide a way to quantify characteristics of the topographic fabric and to construct predictive models that can be used to test hypotheses that relate topography and biodiversity.

Keywords: Geoecology, landscape ecology, topograpchic analysis, land-cover diversity, biodiversity, spatial patterns, tectonics

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Citation

Coblentz, David D.; Riitters, Kurt H.  2004.  Topographic controls on the regional-scale biodiversity of the south-western USA.   Journal of Biogeography 31: 1125-1138