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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.09.15.460441

The biogeography of the Mediterranean Taurus Mountains: Illustrating how complex topography and climatic conditions have shaped their biodiversity

GUR, H.
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Abstract

Climate is well known as the main driver of species distributions. In this study, I focused on Geyik Mountains and surrounding areas to illustrate how complex topography and climatic conditions have shaped the distribution patterns of species/communities and therefore the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Taurus Mountains, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot. Accordingly, I used an ecological niche modelling approach, which has been widely used in recent biogeographic studies. I chose Taurus ground squirrels (Spermophilus taurensis) and coniferous forests as the representatives of high- and low-altitude species/communities, respectively. The results simply illustrate how complex topography and temperature and precipitation gradients have had a substantial role in shaping the distribution patterns of species/communities and therefore the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Taurus Mountains.

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GUR, H.. 2021-09-17. The biogeography of the Mediterranean Taurus Mountains: Illustrating how complex topography and climatic conditions have shaped their biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.09.15.460441

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