why are the tropics the most diverse areas

Why Are The Tropics The Most Diverse Areas?

The higher temperatures in the tropics cause higher rates of metabolism, ecological dynamics and coevolutionary processes, which generate and maintain higher biodiversity.Dec 16, 2013

Why are the tropics so diverse?

The relatively high temperatures in the tropics generate and maintain high diversity because ‘the Red Queen runs faster when she is hot’. There is, however, one natural feature of this country, the interest and grandeur of which may be fully appreciated in a single walk: it is the ‘virgin forest’.

Where are the tropics the most diverse areas?

The geographical area of the Mexican tropic has the most diverse ecosystems on Earth (most species in a given area), and also the most fragile. It is also the area with the great cultural richness, for which reason it has been classified as one of the regions with the greatest biocultural diversity.

What are the reasons for greater biodiversity in tropics?

– Tropical latitudes produce more solar power than temperate zones, resulting in high productivity and high diversity of biodiversity. – There are fewer seasonal changes in tropical regions and they have a more or less stable climate. This encourages the specialization of the niche and hence the high wealth of animals.

Why is more biodiversity found in tropical region than in temperate region?

“There is greater biodiversity in tropical/subtropical regions than in temperate region. … So, tropics has a longer evolutionary time for species diversification. The temperate enviroment are more seasonal, less constant and unpredictable, therefore less niche specialisation and lesser species diversity are observed.

Why are the tropics more diverse than temperate deciduous forests?

Why are the tropics more diverse than temperate deciduous forests? Ample sunlight, consistently warm temperatures and frequent, abundant precipitation — all plentiful in tropical rainforests — tend to produce highest biodiversity among ecosystems.

Why do the tropical biomes are the most diverse biomes on the globe?

Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests’ diverse flora and fauna. Roughly half of the world’s species can be found here, with an estimated 40 to 100 or more different species of trees present in each hectare.

Which region has greatest diversity?

Species diversity is greatest in the tropics, particularly in tropical forests and coral reefs. The Amazon basin in South America has the largest area of tropical forests.

Why is high biodiversity advantageous over low biodiversity?

The higher the biodiversity of an ecosystem, the more sustainable it is. Conversely, lower biodiversity equals less sustainability. The biodiversity of an ecosystem contributes to the sustainability of that ecosystem. Higher/more biodiversity = more sustainable.

Why is the most biodiversity found near the equator?

There might be more biodiversity near the equator because it’s warmer year round, allowing organisms to continue growing. Locations away from the equator will have cold winters that will slow growth for microorganisms, plants and animals.

Why do tropics have greater biological diversity class 12?

The vast tropical region receives the greatest amount of solar energy than any other region. So, the energy input is higher in these regions which leads to greater biodiversity and species variation.

Why is tropical environment able to support greater species diversity give any two reasons?

Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable. Such constant environments promote niche specialization and lead to a greater species diversity.

Why are the tropical areas richer in biological resources than polar areas?

One idea is that tropical regions harbor greater biodiversity because they are especially fertile grounds for the formation of new species — i.e., “cradles of diversity.” Another idea is that biodiversity hotspots are less likely to lose the species they already have.

Where would you expect more species diversity in tropics or in temperate regions give reasons in support of your answer?

Tropics have more species biodiversity than that of the polar regions. … ii High productivity : There is more solar energy available in tropics which contributes directly to more productivity population sizes and indirectly to greater species diversity.

Why is there less diversity in temperate region?

What is the reason for this difference? Tropical and temperate areas have seen different rates and timing of habitat loss. The major cause of biodiversity loss in recent times is habitat destruction and degradation. … Temperate areas had already lost over half their broadleaf forests by 1950.

Why might diversity differ between coniferous and deciduous forests?

The difference in diversity may be caused by the different effects of leaf and needle litter, and it is also likely that canopy structure has an influence via interception and throughfall and by affecting the light and microclimate.

Why do we have high diversity of plants and animals life in tropical rainforest?

Climate: because rainforests are located in tropical regions, they receive a lot of sunlight. … Since there is a lot of sunlight, there is a lot of energy in the rainforest. This energy is stored in plant vegetation, which is eaten by animals. The abundance of energy supports an abundance of plant and animal species.

Which ecosystem has highest biodiversity?

Coral reefs

Coral reefs are believed by many to have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet—even more than a tropical rainforest.

Why species diversity is high in equatorial regions?

A new study led by Oxford Earth Sciences’ Associate Professor Erin Saupe suggests that higher species diversity in equatorial regions may be caused by higher rates of speciation (the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution), driven by changes in precipitation across space and through time.

What makes tropical rainforest unique?

The tropical rainforest biome has four main characteristics: very high annual rainfall, high average temperatures, nutrient-poor soil, and high levels of biodiversity (species richness). … Despite relatively consistent rain in these ecosystems, there are distinct dry seasons in some rainforests.

What are the main characteristics of the tropical rainforest?

Characteristics of tropical rainforests

Very wet with over 2,000 mm of rainfall per year.
Very warm with an average daily temperature of 28°C. The temperature never drops below 20°C and rarely exceeds 35°C.
The atmosphere is hot and humid .
The climate is consistent all year round. There are no seasons.

Which ecosystems are considered to be the most diverse?

Forests are the most diverse ecosystems on land, because they hold the vast majority of the world’s terrestrial species.

Where is biodiversity the greatest?

The area on Earth considered to have the greatest biodiversity is the Tropical Andes region covering 1,258,000 km² (485,716 miles²) and running through Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and a small area of northern Argentina.

What place most likely have low biodiversity?

The arctic regions of the world have the least biodiversity because plants don’t survive in the extreme cold and ice that cover these regions year-round. However, life does exist in the arctic regions, mostly affiliated with the seas that surround them.

Why is high biodiversity advantageous?

Greater biodiversity in ecosystems, species, and individuals leads to greater stability. For example, species with high genetic diversity and many populations that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions are more likely to be able to weather disturbances, disease, and climate change.

What is the high diversity or low diversity?

Low biodiversity is when there are a few prominent species and a low number of other species within the habitat. High biodiversity is a habitat or ecosystem that has a high number of different species.

Why is high biodiversity important?

Biodiversity is important to humans for many reasons. … Ecological life support— biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services.

Why does biodiversity tend to be higher in areas closest to the equator or tropical areas quizlet?

Why are areas near the equator have more species richness? Greater amounts of solar energy, heat, and humidity at tropical latitudes lead to more plant growth, making areas nearer the equator more productive and able to support larger numbers of animals.

What kind of climate has a high biodiversity?

Tropical rainforests are the most biodiverse habitats on Earth. They are home to a huge number of different plants, animals, fungi and other organisms.

Why species diversity increases as you move geographically from the polar regions to the equator?

Why does species diversity increase as you move geographically from the polar regions to the equator? The warmer climate around the equator provides a greater abundance of resources, more solar energy, and warmer temperatures that allow for longer growing seasons and more ectothermic species.

What is tropical biodiversity?

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of all forms of life, from genes to species, through to the broad scale of ecosystems. … The tropics represent a remarkable biodiversity, including plants, birds, insects like especially ants, beetles, butterflies and termites; amphibians, mammals, and other organism groups.

How does the tropical environment support diversity of species that dwell in it?

The stable tropical rainforest environment promotes diversity by allowing plants and animals to interact all year round without needing to develop protection against cold or frost.

Why is a tropical environment?

Tropical climate biome

Due to the high temperature and abundant rainfall, much of the plant life grows throughout the year. High temperature and humidity is the most suitable environment for epiphytes to grow.

Why do some places show higher diversity than others Class 8?

Answer: Thus, turnover may well have been higher in diverse communities because they contain different species able to provide function under different environmental conditions, and this higher turnover may have allowed diverse communities to maintain a consistently high level of function.