Relationship or species-area curve describes the relationship between the area of a habitat and the number of species found within that area. Alexander Humboldt observed within a region, species richness increased with increasing area, but up to limit. The relation between species richness and area for a wide variety of taxa turn out to be the rectangular hyperbola.
log S = log C + Z log A,
where, log S= species richness, Z= slope of the line, A= area, C= y-intercept

Relationship between species richness and area

The relationship between species richness (the number of different species) and area is an important concept in ecology. It is often observed that larger areas tend to support more species than smaller areas. This relationship has been studied across a wide variety of taxa, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Graph shape

When the relationship between species richness and area is plotted on a graph, it often takes the shape of a rectangular hyperbola. This means that as the area increases, the species richness initially increases rapidly but then levels off and reaches a plateau.

Explanation of rectangular hyperbola

1. Rapid increase in species richness: Initially, when a small area is considered, the number of species that can inhabit that area is limited. As the area increases, more habitats become available, providing opportunities for different species to colonize. This leads to a rapid increase in species richness.

2. Decreasing rate of increase: As the area continues to increase, the rate at which new species are added gradually decreases. This is because the available habitats are being filled up, and the remaining vacant niches are relatively more specialized or difficult to occupy. Therefore, the addition of new species becomes slower.

3. Plateau: Eventually, as the area becomes larger, the species richness reaches a plateau. This means that further increases in area do not result in a significant increase in species richness. The plateau is reached when most of the available habitats are occupied, and the remaining niches are either unsuitable for colonization or can only support a limited number of species.

Factors influencing the relationship

The relationship between species richness and area can be influenced by several factors, including:

- Habitat heterogeneity: Areas with a greater diversity of habitats tend to support more species because they provide a wider range of ecological niches.

- Isolation: Isolated areas, such as islands, often have lower species richness compared to larger landmasses due to limitations in colonization and dispersal.

- Environmental conditions: Environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and soil fertility can also affect species richness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the relationship between species richness and area is often represented by a rectangular hyperbola. This pattern reflects the initial rapid increase in species richness, followed by a decreasing rate of increase and ultimately reaching a plateau. Understanding this relationship is crucial for conservation efforts and understanding the factors that influence biodiversity patterns.