NEETBotanyBiodiversity and its Conservation
What is the main reason for the uneven distribution of plant and animal diversity in the world?
Options
- AThe distribution of species diversity is random.
- BLatitudinal gradient in diversity.
- CThe biodiversity is the same everywhere in the worlD)
- DPolar areas have more species than temperate or tropical areas.
Correct answer
B. Latitudinal gradient in diversity.
Step-by-step solution
The diversity of plants and animals is not uniform throughout the world but shows a rather uneven distribution. For many group of animals or plants, there are interesting patterns in diversity , the most well- known being the latitudinal gradient in diversity . In general, species diversity decreases as we move away from the equator towards the poles. With very few exceptions, tropics (latitudinal range of 23.5° N to 23.5° S) harbour more species than temperate or polar areas. Colombia located near the equator has