Question

Which of the following regions of the globe exhibits the highest species diversity?

• A. Himalayas
• B. Amazon forests
• C. The Western Ghats in India
• D. Madagascar

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Amazon forests

The correct option is B.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Brazil is home to over two-thirds of the Amazon jungle.
2. The Amazon is reported to host 2.5 million kinds of insects.
3. . More than half the species in the Amazon rainforest are considered to dwell in the canopy.
4. Production in regions that get rainfall or water from the Amazon accounts for 70% of South America's GDP.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. There are 280 species of mammals, 940 species of birds, 316 species of fish, 200 species of reptiles, and 80 species of amphibians in the 3.95 lakh sq. km. area as a whole.
2. Together, they make up 27.6% of the nation's overall variety of vertebrates.

Option C:

There are 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species, and 1 fish species in the Western Ghats, all of which are considered to be endangered on a global scale.

Option D:

1. Since separating from the African continent an estimated 160 million years ago, the island country of Madagascar has created its own unique ecosystems and amazing species.
2. Ninety-nine percent of the plants, 95 percent of the reptiles, and 92 percent of the animals that inhabit Madagascar are unique to the planet.

Final answer: The region that exhibits the highest biodiversity in the Amazon forests.