Which of these examples will have the steepest curve when log of species richness and log of area are plotted on a graph?

Options

A. plants in Britain
B. birds in California
C. molluscs in New York State
D. mammals in the tropical forests of different continents

Answer

To determine which example will have the steepest curve when plotting the log of species richness against the log of area, we need to analyze the options provided based on the concept of species-area relationships.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Species Richness**:
- Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a given area. It is an important measure of biodiversity.

2. **Logarithmic Transformation**:
- When we plot the log of species richness against the log of area, we are often looking for a linear relationship, where the slope of the line indicates how steep the curve is.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option 1: Plants in Britain**:
- While there is diversity, the overall species richness may not be as high compared to tropical regions.
- **Option 2: Birds in California**:
- California has a variety of habitats, but again, it may not match the biodiversity found in tropical regions.
- **Option 3: Mollusks in New York State**:
- Mollusks may have a specific habitat range and may not exhibit high species richness across a broad area.
- **Option 4: Mammals in the tropical forest of different continents**:
- Tropical forests are known for their high biodiversity and species richness. Mammals in these regions often show a significant increase in species richness with area.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the example that will have the steepest curve when plotting the log of species richness against the log of area is **Option 4: Mammals in the tropical forest of different continents**. This is due to the high biodiversity typically found in tropical forests.