theory of island biogeography

The theory of island biogeography explains how the size and distance of an island from the mainland affect its biodiversity. Larger islands tend to host more species because they offer more habitats and resources, while islands closer to the mainland receive more species that can migrate. The balance between species arriving and going extinct shapes the number of species present. This theory highlights the importance of habitat conservation and connectivity in ecology, emphasizing that isolated environments can lose biodiversity more easily than those connected to larger ecosystems.