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Question
Give three hypotheses for explaining why tropics show greatest levels of species richness.
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Solution
- Speciation is generally a function of time. Temperate regions have been repeatedly glaciated since ancient times, while tropical latitudes have remained undisturbed for millions of years. Hence, there has been more time for species to evolve and diversify.
- The tropical environment is different from the temperate environment and shows fewer seasonal changes. This stable environment has encouraged niche specialisation, leading to greater species diversity.
- More solar energy is available in tropical regions, which leads to greater productivity and, indirectly, to more extraordinary biodiversity.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Short answer type question
Tropical regions exhibit species richness as compared to polar regions. Justify.
The 'rivet' in the rivet popper hypothesis is considered to represent the ______.
Extent of global diversity of invertebrates is shown in the pie diagram below. Choose the most appropriate alternative that the four portions (a-d) represent.
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On a log scale the relationship of species richness and area becomes linear (straight line) and is given by the equation.
Species richness - area relationship is given by ______.
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Select the correct alternative for x and y.
Which of the below mentioned regions exhibit lees seasonal variations?
Which of these is true about tropical environments?
Which of these is true about tropical environments?
The pattern of biodiversity is affected by ______.
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Amongst the animal groups given below, which one appears to be more vulnerable to extinction?
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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 = CAz
- Give a graphical representation of the given equation showing Species-Area relationship.
- What does 'S' represent in the given equation?
- What is the value of 'Z' (regression coefficient) for frugivorous birds and mammals in the tropical forests of different continents?
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?
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For frugivorous (fruit-eating) birds and mammals in the tropical forests of different continents, the slope of the species-area relationship is found to be approximately ______.
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Alexander von Humboldt observed that, within a region species richness ______ with increasing explored area.
Rivet Popper Hypothesis is an analogy to explain the significance of ______.
Match the scientist in column I with their contribution in column II and choose the correct option.
| Column I | Column II | ||
| i. | Alexander Van Humboldt | a. | Estimated 7 million species round the globe |
| ii. | Robert May | b. | Rivet popper hypothesis |
| iii. | David Tillman | c. | Species Area Relationship |
| iv. | Paul Ehrlich | d. | Productivity stability hypothesis |
