Question

How can latitude affect species diversity?

Answer 1

Hint: Latitude is the angular distance of point on the earth’s surface, measured in degrees from the centre of the earth. It is parallel to a line, the equator, which lies midway between the poles. The equator represents 0° and the North and South Poles are 90°N and 90'S.

Complete answer:
 The diversity of species is greatly affected by the latitudinal set up of the region/area. The species diversity usually increases from the poles to the tropics, which is often referred to as the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient. There are numerous theories as to why the equator supports a greater number of species as opposed to the pole regions. Since the earth is spherical, the parallels of the latitude become shorter pole wards, and are longest at the equator.

As a result, the poles receive very less sunlight, while in the equatorial region there is abundant sunlight with great uniformity of temperature throughout the year. As is the case for example: The regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which passes through South America, Africa, India, and South-East Asia, which as we know have one of the most diverse and abundant species of wildlife and plant species (Example: Amazon, Savannah, Western Ghats etc). This abundant sunlight in turn creates favourable climatic conditions to support a greater variety of species of plants and animals.
While on the other hand, the climatic conditions around the pole ward region is harsher as compared to the tropics, thus leading to niche species of plants and animals that are very well adapted to these harsh conditions.

Note:Altitude also affects the diversity of species as fewer species can physiologically tolerate conditions of higher latitudes that at low latitudes because higher latitudes are often colder, drier and low oxygen content as compared to tropical latitudes.