Question

The pattern of biodiversity is affected by

• A. Latitudinal gradients
• B. Both A and B
• C. Species–area relationships
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Both A and B

Latitudinal gradients

1. Patterns of biodiversity are largely influenced by the latitudinal gradient.
2. Species diversity increases as we move from the poles towards the equator.
3. The tropical regions have more variety in availability of species than the polar or temperate regions. India, which majorly lies in the tropical zone, has 1200 different species of birds where Greenland at 71oN has only 56 different species of birds.

Species-area relationships

1. Patterns of biodiversity is also dependent on the species-area relationship.
2. The relationship between species richness and area says that within a region, species richness increases with increasing explored area only up to a certain limit.

Final answer

(C) Both A and B