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The pattern of biodiversity is affected ...

The pattern of biodiversity is affected by

A

Latitude

B

Altitude

C

Both (1) and (2)

D

Longitude

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### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding Biodiversity**: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms in a given ecosystem, including the number of species, genetic diversity, and the variety of ecosystems. 2. **Factors Affecting Biodiversity**: The question asks about the factors that influence the pattern of biodiversity. The main factors to consider are latitude, altitude, and longitude. 3. **Latitude's Influence**: - Biodiversity tends to increase as one moves from the poles towards the equator. This is known as the latitudinal gradient in biodiversity. - For example, tropical regions near the equator, such as Colombia, have a high number of species (around 1400 bird species), while polar regions have significantly fewer species (e.g., Greenland has around 56 bird species). 4. **Altitude's Influence**: - Biodiversity also changes with altitude. Generally, species diversity decreases as altitude increases. - This means that lower altitudes, which are often warmer and have more stable climates, tend to support more species compared to higher altitudes. 5. **Examples**: - The Amazon rainforest, located near the equator, is known for its high biodiversity and is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet." - In contrast, temperate regions like New York, which is at a higher latitude (41 degrees north), have fewer species (about 105 bird species). 6. **Reasons for Biodiversity Patterns**: - **Time for Speciation**: Tropical regions have been less disturbed over evolutionary time, allowing more time for species to evolve and diversify. - **Stable Environment**: The tropical environment is more stable and predictable, which encourages specialization among species. - **Solar Energy Availability**: Higher solar energy in tropical regions leads to increased productivity, supporting a greater number of species. 7. **Conclusion**: The pattern of biodiversity is significantly affected by both latitude and altitude, making the correct answer to the question: both 1 (latitude) and 2 (altitude).
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