What is the affect of species diversity, as one move from high to low altitudes

Options

A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. First increases then decreases
D. First decreases then increases

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Species Diversity**:
- Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species within a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is often measured by species richness, which is the number of different species present.

2. **Impact of Altitude on Temperature**:
- As altitude increases, the temperature generally decreases. High altitudes tend to have colder climates, while lower altitudes have more moderate temperatures.

3. **Survival of Species**:
- Many species have specific temperature ranges in which they can survive and thrive. Cold temperatures at high altitudes can limit the number of species that can live there, as not all species are adapted to survive in such conditions.

4. **Movement from High to Low Altitudes**:
- When moving from high altitudes (cold temperatures) to low altitudes (moderate temperatures), the conditions become more favorable for a greater number of species to survive. This leads to an increase in species diversity.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the effect of species diversity as one moves from high to low altitudes is that it increases due to the more favorable conditions at lower altitudes.

### Final Answer:
The correct option is that species diversity increases as one moves from high to low altitudes.

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