Question

According to the latitudinal gradient pattern in biodiversity, how does species diversity change from the equator toward the poles?

Options

• Species diversity remains constant across all latitudes

• Species diversity is highest at temperate latitudes

• Species diversity increases toward the poles

• Species diversity declines from the tropics toward the poles

Answer 1

Species diversity generally declines from the tropics toward the poles, following the latitudinal gradient. This pattern reflects the greater availability of solar energy, habitat diversity, and evolutionary time in tropical regions, which support disproportionately high numbers of species.