Explain how temperature and territory affect the distribution of animal species.

Temperature:

Territory:

temperature: [2 max]
body size/surface area to volume ratio affects the rate of animal metabolism/ability to conserve heat;
animals that regulate body temperature (homeotherms) can colonize a wider range of environments/habitats;
when animals have less control over their rate of metabolism (poikilotherms) choice of environment/habitat more determined by external temperatures;
fewer species can survive in extreme temperature and special adaptations are needed;

territory: [2 max]
some establish and defend an area within a suitable habitat to attract mates/maintain food supply/rear young/avoid predation/competition;
can lead to intra and inter specific competition for space;
a territory may be established by an individual/breeding pairs/groups / may be limited places suitable as territories which affects distribution;
territory may be permanent or temporary / for breeding period / nomadic/migratory animals;

The idea of distribution of animals seemed to present difficulty to many students, and answers tended to be vague and simplistic. Although polar bears were frequently given as an example, few made the connection between external temperature, an animal's metabolic rate and it's ability to survive in different environments.

Many students had the idea of competition between animals for space and food, but again, many responses were inadequate, and often repetitive.