Question

Which of the following is a reason for the greater biological diversity of tropical regions?

• A. Tropical latitudes have remained almost undisturbed for millions of years.
• B. Tropical environments are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable.
• C. More solar energy is available in the tropics, resulting in high productivity.
• D. All of these

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

All of these

The tropics are the region of the Earth surrounding the Equator. The tropics are also referred to as the tropical zone and the torrid zone. The tropics include all the areas on the Earth where the Sun contacts the a point directly overhead at least once during the solar year (which is a subsolar point) - thus the latitude of the tropics is roughly equal to the angle of the Earth's axial tilt. The tropics comprise 40% of the Earth's surface area[1] and contain 36% of the Earth's landmass. No catastrophes have taken place in tropics due to which the latitudes have been undisturbed for a very long time. The organisms continue to flourish and evolve in tropics. Tropics have non seasonal, nearly uniform environment. It provides niche specialization and increased species diversity. More solar energy is available in the tropics as compared to other parts of the world. It enhances the productivity. Higher productivity provides resources for higher number of organisms.

So the correct option is 'all of these'.