The species richness of trees increases from North to South in the Western Ghats, and from South to North in the Andes. Which one of the following can be an explanation for these patterns?
Show Hint
- Greater incident solar radiation at lower latitudes
- Higher temperature at higher latitudes
- Greater distance from the coast at lower latitudes
- Stronger trade winds at higher latitudes
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Species richness — the number of different species in a region — tends to be higher at lower latitudes (closer to the equator). This is primarily because these regions receive more consistent and intense solar radiation, which supports higher primary productivity. A stable climate and greater availability of energy over evolutionary timescales also allow more species to coexist.
Step 2: Explanation of the other options.
- Higher temperature at higher latitudes: This is incorrect — temperatures generally decrease with increasing latitude, not the opposite.
- Greater distance from the coast at lower latitudes: Coastal proximity does not consistently correlate with latitude or species richness patterns.
- Stronger trade winds at higher latitudes: Trade winds are more influential near the tropics, but they do not directly influence species richness significantly.
Top Questions on Ecology
- Which one or more of the following would make a plant community more susceptible to invasion by exotic plants?
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Figure F shows how predation rate changes with increasing prey density.
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Questions Asked in GATE EY exam
- An organization allows its employees to work independently on consultancy projects but charges an overhead on the consulting fee.
The overhead is 20% of the consulting fee if the fee is up to ₹5,00,000.
For higher fees, the overhead is ₹1,00,000 plus 10% of the amount by which the fee exceeds ₹5,00,000.
The government charges a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18% on the total amount (i.e., the consulting fee plus the overhead).
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If the client cannot pay more than ₹10,00,000, what is the maximum consulting fee that the employee can charge? The table lists the top 5 nations according to the number of gold medals won in a tournament; also included are the number of silver and the bronze medals won by them. Based only on the data provided in the table, which one of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Eight students (P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W) are playing musical chairs. The figure indicates their order of position at the start of the game. They play the game by moving forward in a circle in the clockwise direction.
After the 1st round, the 4th student behind P leaves the game.
After the 2nd round, the 5th student behind Q leaves the game.
After the 3rd round, the 3rd student behind V leaves the game.
After the 4th round, the 4th student behind U leaves the game.
Who all are left in the game after the 4th round?
A stick of length one meter is broken at two locations at distances of \( b_1 \) and \( b_2 \) from the origin (0), as shown in the figure. Note that \( 0<b_1<b_2<1 \). Which one of the following is NOT a necessary condition for forming a triangle using the three pieces?
Note: All lengths are in meter. The figure shown is representative.
- Identify the option that has the most appropriate sequence such that a coherent paragraph is formed:
P: Over time, such adaptations lead to significant evolutionary changes with the potential to shape the development of new species.
Q: In natural world, organisms constantly adapt to their environments in response to challenges and opportunities.
R: This process of adaptation is driven by the principle of natural selection, where favorable traits increase an organism’s chances of survival and reproduction.
S: As environments change, organisms that can adapt their behavior, structure, and physiology to such changes are more likely to survive.