INFOGRAPHIC 17.4 MOVEMENT OF EARTH’S PLATES INFLUENCES CLIMATE AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
Earth’s landmasses are on plates that float on Earth’s upper mantle and crust. Over geologic time, these plates have moved with respect to one another, affecting the climate as well as the ability of organisms to move among landmasses. The geographic distribution of organisms on Earth today reflects both adaptations to the local environment as well as the geography of their evolutionary origins.
Earth’s landmasses are on plates that float on Earth’s upper mantle and crust. Over geologic time, these plates have moved with respect to one another, affecting the climate as well as the ability of organisms to move among landmasses. The geographic distribution of organisms on Earth today reflects both adaptations to the local environment as well as the geography of their evolutionary origins.
