Question

Q. Which of the following best describes the cause of higher biological diversity in the tropics as compared to other reasons?

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

The correct option is D 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have proposed various hypotheses; some important ones are:

1. Speciation is generally a function of time, unlike temperate regions subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years and thus, had a long evolutionary time for species diversification,
2. Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant, and predictable. Such constant environments promote niche specialization and lead to greater species diversity and
3. There is more solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to higher productivity; this, in turn, might contribute indirectly to greater diversity.