What geographical features can act as barriers that influence species distribution?

Geographical barriers are physical features of the landscape that can impede the movement of organisms and create distinct populations. These barriers include mountains, rivers, oceans, and deserts, which can isolate groups of species and limit gene flow between them. When populations become separated by these geographical features, they may undergo different evolutionary processes, leading to the development of new species over time through mechanisms like allopatric speciation.

For example, a mountain range can prevent animal and plant species from migrating to new areas, resulting in variations in genetic traits due to differing environmental pressures on either side of the barrier. Additionally, rivers might not only restrict movement but could also affect the availability of resources, thereby influencing the survival and reproduction of species.

In contrast, while climate zones, soil types, and interactions among organisms all play critical roles in shaping ecosystems and influencing species distribution, they do not physically restrict movement in the same way that geographical barriers do. Climate zones can impact habitat suitability, soil types can affect plant growth, and organism interactions can shape community structures, but none serve as the same kind of isolating force that can lead to significant evolutionary divergence among species.