Patterns of Biodiversity

Give three hypotheses for explaining why tropics show greatest levels of species richness.

Is it true that there is more solar energy available in the tropics? Explain briefly.

Given below is an equation describing the Species-Area relationship between species richness and area for a wide variety of taxa as angiosperm plants, birds, bats etc. S = CA^z

1. Give a graphical representation of the given equation showing Species-Area relationship.
2. What does 'S' represent in the given equation?
3. What is the value of 'Z' (regression coefficient) for frugivorous birds and mammals in the tropical forests of different continents?

Which one of the following is not a major characteristic feature of biodiversity hot spots?

There is greater biodiversity in tropical /subtropical regions than in temperate region. Explain.

A species-area curve is drawn by plotting the number of species against the area. How is it that when a very large area is considered the slope is steeper than that for smaller areas?

The relation between species richness and area for a wide variety of taxa turns out to be a rectangular hyperbola. Give a brief explanation.

Study the graph given below:

As per Alexander von Humboldt, what do the symbols S, A, Z and C in the graph stand for, in respect of a species and area relationship?