Question

Given below are two statements.
Statement I: There is less species biodiversity in tropical latitudes than in temperate region
Statement II: Tropical environments unlike temperate ones are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true

Hint:

Tropics = High Biodiversity. Why? Because they have more solar energy, longer evolutionary time (undisturbed), and constant/predictable seasonal environments.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Problem:
Global biodiversity exhibits distinct latitudinal gradients. Species richness strongly correlates with latitude and environmental stability.
Step 2: Approach and Formula:
Evaluate the known ecological patterns of global biodiversity distribution and the climatic hypotheses that explain them.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement I: This statement claims that tropical latitudes have "less" species biodiversity than temperate regions. This is fundamentally incorrect. The universally observed latitudinal gradient shows that species diversity is highest at the equator (tropics) and decreases as one moves toward the poles (temperate and arctic regions). Thus, Statement I is false.
- Statement II: This statement provides one of the core ecological reasons why tropics are more diverse. Temperate environments were subjected to frequent glaciations and are highly seasonal and unpredictable. In contrast, tropical environments have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years and are characterized by being less seasonal, relatively more constant, and highly predictable. This environmental stability promotes niche specialization and greater species richness. Thus, Statement II is true.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.