Uniform Distribution
I was so excited in my ecology class to realize that I had a perfect example of a uniform model of species distribution for my midterm. The three types of species distribution, clumped, random, and uniform are found throughout nature, but giving examples is a bit harder.
Notice the even dots of vegetation on the hillside?
A clumped distribution would be the most common. Just imagine herds of animals. Daisies in a meadow would be random distribution. However, I was proud to have an example of a uniform distribution, one where each individual was more or less of equal distance apart.
I have experienced it in person! Flying over El Paso, on the way to the Sun Bowl with the Oregon Marching Band, I saw what looked like tons and tons of dark rocks on a tan landscape. A fellow passenger asked one of the flight attendants what it was, and she told him it was the bushes… of course.Perhaps this was a type of sagebrush or grass?
Indeed. In such an arid climate, a uniform distribution maximizes water intake for many desert-dwelling plants.
However, that doesn’t work for humans apparently. I left El Paso anticipating the rain and damp of the Willamette Valley with joy, my wishes for rain whispered through chapped lips.
Kallen is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Journalism at the University of Oregon and, of course, writing a blog.
Taylor said,
February 21, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Kurt says, “Oregon Marching Band? Uniform distribution!? What does that have to do with biology!?” — as he completely misses the caption.
I’ve never quite understood what the benefit of moving out to the middle of the desert was. When did that happen? I know in most areas, human concentrations have been along rivers (for waste management), in areas with high levels of game, and in regions where there is ground suitable for farming. The desert just seems so difficult a place to exist. So, if I understand this correctly, human populations are a “clumped” distribution regardless of environment?
Samper said,
February 21, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
I really thought you were going to say something about the OMB being of uniform distribution, though I guess you’re really clumped. But its kinda funny. Math and bio really are closely related. I know, but things like “uniform distribution” scream math. And when you talked about star fish, we did predator prey models in Diff EQ. Its pretty cool stuff.