Öcybiogeografi

Öcybiogeografi is a theoretical framework within biogeography that proposes a cyclical model for the distribution and evolution of species. Instead of a purely linear progression of dispersal and speciation, öcybiogeografi suggests that species can undergo periods of expansion, contraction, and even apparent extinction, followed by a resurgence or re-emergence. This concept challenges traditional views of vicariance and dispersal by incorporating the idea of ecological and evolutionary "cycles" driven by environmental changes and biotic interactions. The term "öcybiogeografi" itself combines elements suggesting a cyclical or recurrent pattern within the study of species distribution. Proponents of öcybiogeografi argue that this cyclical perspective can better explain certain patterns observed in the fossil record and in the current distributions of organisms, particularly those that show evidence of being highly fragmented or having a discontinuous history. It implies that what appears as a past extinction might, in fact, be a period of dormancy or extreme range reduction, from which populations can recover. This theory is still under development and is a subject of ongoing scientific discussion and research within the broader field of evolutionary biology and biogeography.