An Island Biogeographical Analysis of the Flora in the Faroe Islands Ein oyggjalívlandafrøðilig greining av floruni í Føroyum

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Published Jan 1, 1998
Hans Guldager Christiansen Erik Hansen

Abstract

The distribution of the Faroese vascular plants was thoroughly examined in the 1960s. We have used this material and conducted an enumeration of the number of species found on each of the 18 largest islands. The number of plant species found on the Faroe Islands may be demonstrated to depend on the area of the island in question, in such a way that an island ten times bigger will contain approximately twice as many species of plants. Or to be more exact: The number of species (S) is proportional to the area of the islands (A) as indicated in the equation S = 73.8 A"-2I).

By assuming that the distribution of plant species in the Islands is random, we have made a mathematical description based on the frequency of the species, a description which will by and large provide a better explanation for the number of species in the Islands. Deviations from this 'null hypothesis' may be attributed to other causes than mere dependence on area. The model
illustrates for example that the northern islands contain few species whereas Koltur is extremely rich on species.

The mathematicai null hypothesis also forms the basis for a comparison of the Islands' flora. The result is much information on the florae of the individual islands, for example that Skúvoy floristicly is the most 'Faroese' of all the islands.

Abstract 67 | PDF Downloads 32

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Section
Natural Sciences