Patterns of Biodiversity - Latitudinal Gradients - Unsolved Practice Set
Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation | Topic: Patterns of Biodiversity Latitudinal Gradients
PATTERNS OF BIODIVERSITY - LATITUDINAL GRADIENTS - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Patterns of Biodiversity Latitudinal Gradients
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. The general pattern observed in species richness across latitudes is that it tends to:
- Increase from the poles toward the tropics/equator
- Decrease from the poles toward the tropics/equator
- Remain exactly constant at all latitudes
- Show no relationship with latitude at all
Q2. Tropical regions, such as rainforests, typically show:
- Lower species richness than polar regions
- Higher species richness compared to temperate or polar regions
- No living species at all
- Species richness identical to Arctic tundra
Q3. One commonly proposed explanation for higher species richness in the tropics is:
- Lower average temperatures throughout the year
- Greater and more consistent solar energy input, supporting higher productivity
- Complete absence of seasonal variation in polar regions
- Lower rates of evolution in tropical regions
Q4. Compared to tropical regions, polar and temperate regions have generally had:
- More stable environmental conditions over evolutionary time
- Less evolutionary time since the last major glaciation events to accumulate species diversity
- No history of environmental change at all
- Identical species richness to tropical rainforests
Q5. The Amazon rainforest, located near the equator, is often cited as an example of a region with:
- Very low species richness
- Extremely high species richness
- No biodiversity at all
- Only a single dominant species
Short Answer Questions
Q6. Describe the general pattern of species richness observed across latitudinal gradients, from the poles to the tropics.
Q7. Give one example of a tropical region and one example of a polar/temperate region, comparing their typical species richness.
Q8. Mention any two proposed explanations for why tropical regions tend to have higher species richness.
Q9. Why might greater and more stable solar energy input contribute to higher biodiversity in tropical regions?
Long Answer Questions
Q10. Discuss the latitudinal gradient in species richness, describing the general pattern observed as one moves from polar regions toward the equator.
Q11. Explain the various hypotheses proposed by ecologists to account for why tropical regions generally support greater biodiversity than temperate or polar regions.
APPLICATION / ANALYSIS
Q12. An ecologist compares the number of tree species found in a one-hectare plot of Arctic tundra with the number found in a similarly sized plot of Amazon rainforest. Predict which region is likely to show significantly higher species richness, and explain your reasoning using the latitudinal diversity gradient.
Q13. A student wonders why India, located largely within tropical and subtropical latitudes, is home to such a remarkably high number of plant and animal species compared to countries located much closer to the poles. Explain, using your understanding of latitudinal biodiversity patterns, why India's geographic location supports this rich biodiversity.