Tropical regions harbour more species than the temperate regions.
How have biologists tried to explain this in their own ways? Explain.
Ans.
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Productivity Hypothesis: Higher productivity in tropical regions supports a greater diversity of plant species, which in turn provides more resources and niches for other organisms, leading to higher species richness.
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Habitat Heterogeneity Hypothesis: Greater habitat diversity in tropical regions, with diverse ecosystems occurring in close proximity, supports a wide range of species with varying ecological requirements, contributing to higher species richness.
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Evolutionary Time Hypothesis: Longer periods of stable climate and habitat in tropical regions allow for the accumulation of diverse species through processes such as speciation and adaptation, resulting in higher species richness.
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Environmental Stability Hypothesis: Less seasonal and climatic variation in tropical regions reduces the risk of extinction and facilitates the persistence of diverse species populations over time, contributing to higher species richness.
