Question

Assertion: Diversity opened in the entire geographical area is called gamma diversity.
Reason: Biodiversity decreases from high altitude to low altitude.
A)Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
B)Both the assertion and the reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
C)The assertion is true but the reason is false.
D)Both the assertion and reason are false.
E)The assertion is false but reason is true.

Answer 1

Hint: Gamma diversity is the total species diversity in a landscape. Biodiversity changes due to decrease in temperature and greater seasonal variability are the two major factors responsible for lower diversity at higher altitudes.

Complete answer:
In ecology, gamma diversity (γ-diversity) is referred to as the total species diversity in a landscape. The term was introduced by R. H. Whittaker together with the terms alpha diversity and beta diversity. Whittaker's idea was that the total species diversity in a landscape is measured by two different things. First is the mean species diversity in sites or habitats at a more local scale and second is the differentiation among those habitats.

Biodiversity changes with the changes in altitude. It increases as one moves from higher to lower altitudes. Low temperature and high seasonal variability are the two major factors responsible for lower diversity at higher altitudes.

Additional information:
Whittaker (1972) described the three terms for measuring biodiversity i.e., alpha, beta, and gamma diversity. Alpha diversity refers to the diversity within a particular area or ecosystem. It is usually expressed by the number of species in that ecosystem. The change in species diversity between these ecosystems is referred to as beta diversity.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: The influence of human beings on the world’s ecosystem is the main cause of the loss of biodiversity. In fact human beings have extremely altered the environment, and have modified the territory also. The exploitation of species directly changes the biogeochemical cycles and transferring species from one part to another part of the Planet.