Question

Why do the tropics have the greatest levels of species richness?

Answer 1

Biodiversity:

1. Biodiversity is a representation of variation at the biological, plant, and habitat levels.
2. Terrestrial biodiversity is typically greater closer to the equator.
3. It is due to the warm atmosphere and relatively high productivity.
4. Biodiversity is not evenly distributed on Earth and is greatest in tropical areas.

Species richness in tropics:

1. Tropical latitudes receive more solar energy than temperate regions.
2. It is resulting in high productivity and diversity of species.
3. Tropical regions experience fewer seasonal variations.
4. The environmental conditions remain almost constant.
5. The higher temperatures in the tropics cause higher rates of metabolism, ecological dynamics and coevolutionary processes, which generate and maintain higher biodiversity
6. This encourages niche specialization and a high species richness.