Consider the following statements: 1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes. 2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: Both 1 and 2. The diversity of plants and animals varies widely over the world. The tropics are home to more species than temperate or polar regions. Statement 1 is correct: Species diversity decreases as we move away from the equator towards the pole. This is due to several reasons:  Lower latitudes experience warmer temperatures and more stable climates, which support a greater variety of life forms.  The equatorial regions receive more consistent and intense sunlight throughout the year, leading to higher primary productivity (photosynthesis) and thus more diverse ecosystems.  Tropical regions, such as rainforests, have complex habitats with multiple layers (canopy, understory, forest floor) which support a wide range of species.  Tropical regions have remained relatively stable over geological time, allowing species to diversify over millions of years. Statement 2 is correct: Elevational diversity gradient (EDG) is an ecological pattern where biodiversity changes with eleva- tion. The EDG states that species richness tends to increase as elevation increases, u

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