Biodiversity & Environmental Issues Test - 20

The India has only 2.4 per cent of the world ’s land area, its share of the global species diversity is an impressive 8.1 per cent. That is what makes our country one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world. Nearly 45,000 species of plants and twice as many of animals have been recorded from India.

The materials or substances occurring in nature that exist without the actions of humankind are known as natural resources. These resources can be conserved by using them wisely.

Biodiversity is the variety and variability of all the levels of biological organization (plant and animal life) on Earth. Throughout the world, the diversity of plants and animals is not a uniform that is uneven distribution is observed.

The latitudinal gradient has the most well-known pattern in diversity having many groups of animals and plants. A decrease in diversity of species is observed while moving from the equator towards the poles.

The diversity observed at the species level is known as the species diversity. It is the number and abundance of each species in a particular area. A decrease in the diversity of species is observed while moving from the equator towards the poles.

Colombia that is located near the equator harbors 1,400 species of birds. Columbia is a country located in South Carolina, USA. It is the second most mega-diverse country in the world, ranking first in bird species.

Explanation:
The biodiversity of a given region is influenced by various factors, and the options provided in the question - climate and topography, possibility for dispersal, and evolutionary history - are all important contributors to the outcome of biodiversity in a region. Here's a detailed explanation of each factor:
1. Climate & topography:
- Climate refers to the long-term weather patterns in a region, including temperature, rainfall, and seasonality.
- Different climates support different types of organisms, as they have specific adaptations to survive in specific environmental conditions.
- Topography refers to the physical features of the land, such as mountains, valleys, and rivers. It affects the distribution of habitats and the movement of organisms.
2. Possibility for dispersal:
- Dispersal refers to the movement of organisms from one place to another.
- The ability of organisms to disperse to different areas is crucial for the establishment of diverse populations and the colonization of new habitats.
- Factors that affect dispersal include the presence of barriers (such as mountains or oceans), availability of suitable habitats, and the ability of organisms to travel long distances.
3. Evolutionary history:
- Evolutionary history refers to the cumulative changes in organisms over time.
- The biodiversity of a region can be influenced by its historical connection to other regions and the movement of species over evolutionary timescales.
- Regions with longer evolutionary histories may have higher levels of biodiversity due to the accumulation of diverse lineages and adaptations.
Conclusion:
All of the factors mentioned - climate and topography, possibility for dispersal, and evolutionary history - interact and contribute to the biodiversity of a given region. Therefore, the correct answer is option D: All of the above.

New York is present in the United States and is the most populous city in the US. Featuring a humid subtropical climate, it is a home for 150 species of birds. American Woodcock is the native bird of New York.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is a United Nations –sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is held on May 22. The International Day for Biological Diversity falls within the scope of the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda 's Sustainable Development Goals.

Ex situ conservation is the preservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitat. It includes cryopreservation, offsite collections, gene banks and tissue culture. In situ conservation is the preservation of biological diversity in their natural wild condition, usually inthe form of biosphere reserves, national parks and wild life sanctuaries.