A Comment on Equilibrium Turnover Rates for Islands

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Abstract
Recent investigations of the theory of island biogeography have focused on species turnover rates on islands, presumed to have reached equilibrium in species density. Some studies are unclear as to what predictions can be made from island biogeography theory with regard to turnover rates. A clear distinction must be made between absolute and relative turnover rates. Islands at equilibrium are characterized by equal immigration and extinction rates. The absolute turnover rates greater on near islands than on far islands and greater on small islands than on large islands. Because island biogeography theory predicts that large, near islands should have more species than small, far islands at equilibrium, the absolute turnover rates will not change consistently with species density unless the islands are characterized by a variation only in distance or area, but not both. Turnover rate equations are discussed.

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