Lesson plan
Biotone
A biotone is a biogeographical region characterized not by distinctive biota but rather by a distinctive transition from one set of biota to another. They often contain the limits of distribution of the biota of neighbouring regions. Biotones are especially useful in marine biogeography, where the movement of water may result in substantial overlap in the floral and faunal components of adjacent regions. In such case, the regions of overlap is considered a biotone. A simple example would be mid-latitude waters where tropical and temperate waters mix. This region is a biotone characterized by the transition between tropical and temperate waters. It would contain both tropical and temperate biota. Tropical biota that do not extend into temperate areas would be at the limit of their range in this biotone, and vice versa. The co-occurrence of biota that are normally distinct can result in unusual ecological relationships.
Article summary
A biotone is a biogeographical region characterized not by distinctive biota but rather by a distinctive transition from one set of biota to another. They often contain the limits of distribution of the biota of neighbouring regions. Biotones are especially useful in marine biogeography, where the movement of water may result in substantial overlap in the floral and faunal components of adjacent regions. In such case, the regions of overlap is considered a biotone. A simple example would be mid-latitude waters where tropical and temperate waters mix. This region is a biotone characterized by the transition between tropical and temperate waters. It would contain both tropical and temperate biota. Tropical biota that do not extend into temperate areas would be at the limit of their range in this biotone, and vice versa. The co-occurrence of biota that are normally distinct can result in unusual ecological relationships.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.