Question
ECOS YSTE MS & BIO iodiversity Let's check you got It: Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms in an area This can be local eg in one ecosystem or community.or it can be global, how many species there are on Earth Biodiversity varies in different parts of the world 1. Where do you think there is greater biodiversily: in a tropical rainforest ecosystem or in a fundra ecosystem? Explain why you think this is the case. 2. Add a line to this sketch graph to show the general frend of how blodiversily changes with distance from the equator. Equator
Answer
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Glenda
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
Step 1: Understanding BiodiversityBiodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms within a particular area, ecosystem, or on the entire Earth. It includes the diversity of species, genetic variation within species, and the variety of ecosystems.Step 2: Comparing Biodiversity in Different EcosystemsWhen comparing a tropical rainforest ecosystem with a tundra ecosystem, we can consider several factors that influence biodiversity:- Climate: Tropical rainforests have a warm, moist climate that supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. Tundra regions, on the other hand, have a cold, harsh climate with a short growing season, which limits the types of organisms that can survive there.- Productivity: Tropical rainforests have high primary productivity due to abundant sunlight and rainfall, which supports a greater number of species at all trophic levels. Tundra ecosystems have low productivity because of the cold temperatures and limited growing season.- Niche diversity: The complex structure of rainforests, with multiple layers of vegetation, provides a wide range of habitats and niches for organisms to occupy. In contrast, the tundra has a simpler structure with fewer niches.Answer to Question 1:Based on these factors, there is greater biodiversity in a tropical rainforest ecosystem than in a tundra ecosystem. The warm, moist climate, high productivity, and complex structure of rainforests support a larger number of species and a greater variety of life forms.Step 3: Sketching the General Trend of Biodiversity with Distance from the EquatorSince the question refers to a graph with distance from the equator on the horizontal axis and biodiversity on the vertical axis, we can infer the general trend:- Biodiversity is highest at the equator, where tropical rainforests are located.- As the distance from the equator increases (towards the poles), biodiversity generally decreases.- This decrease is due to the factors mentioned earlier, such as less favorable climate conditions and lower productivity.Answer to Question 2:To add a line to the sketch graph to show the general trend of how biodiversity changes with distance from the equator, you would draw a line that starts high on the vertical axis (indicating high biodiversity at the equator) and slopes downward as it moves away from the equator on the horizontal axis (indicating decreasing biodiversity towards the poles).Final Answer:1. Greater biodiversity is found in a tropical rainforest ecosystem compared to a tundra ecosystem due to the more favorable climate, higher productivity, and greater niche diversity.2. The line added to the graph would show a high level of biodiversity at the equator, decreasing as the distance from the equator increases.