Hello Rk; Generally, biodiversity declines more or less steadily from the tropics toward the poles. Energy flux also declines similarly. The number of growing days per year likewise declines in a similar pattern. So, the cause of the biodiversity decline is explained by that decline in energy supplied to high latitude plant communities. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers

Dr James Des Lauriers thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Temperature is one of the important abiotic factors that plays a key role in shaping the species composition of an area. As we move from tropics towards the poles, temperature in general show a decreasing trend which leads to changes in various physiological activities of plants & hence is responsible for decreasing biodiversity.

Dr Swati Naidu thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Energy flow is the answer, details have been indicated by all others.

Dr Jaswinder Sandhu thank you for your contribution to the discussion

There are two main reasons why temperate areas on Earth have the least biodiversity and species diversity decreases from the equator to the polar regions:

In addition to these two main reasons, there are a few other factors that contribute to the decline in biodiversity from the equator to the polar regions, such as:

• Habitat loss and fragmentation: Temperate and polar regions have been more heavily developed and fragmented than tropical regions. This has led to the loss of habitat for many species and has made it more difficult for them to move around and find mates.
• Invasive species: Invasive species are often more successful in temperate and polar regions than in tropical regions. This is because there is less competition from native species and the climate is more favorable for them.
• Pollution: Pollution can have a significant impact on biodiversity, and temperate and polar regions are often more polluted than tropical regions.

Here are some examples of the biodiversity found in temperate and polar regions:

Temperate regions:

• Forests: temperate forests are home to a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and animals, such as deer, bears, wolves, and foxes.
• Grasslands: temperate grasslands are home to grasses, wildflowers, and animals such as bison, zebras, and lions.
• Wetlands: temperate wetlands are home to a variety of plants and animals, such as fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

Polar regions:

• Arctic tundra: the Arctic tundra is home to a variety of mosses, lichens, and wildflowers, as well as animals such as caribou, musk oxen, and polar bears.
• Antarctic ice sheets: the Antarctic ice sheets are home to a variety of penguins, seals, and whales.

Despite the lower biodiversity in temperate and polar regions, these regions still play an important role in the global ecosystem. For example, temperate forests are a major source of oxygen and timber. Polar regions play an important role in regulating the global climate.

It is important to protect the biodiversity of all regions, including temperate and polar regions. We can do this by reducing our impact on the environment, such as by reducing our carbon emissions and pollution. We can also support conservation efforts to protect habitats and species.

There are a few reasons why temperate areas on Earth have less biodiversity than tropical regions, and why species diversity decreases from the equator to the polar regions:

• Temperature: Temperature is one of the most important factors that affects the distribution of life on Earth. Tropical regions are generally warmer than temperate regions, and polar regions are the coldest. As temperature decreases, the number of species that can survive and thrive also decreases.
• Sunlight: Tropical regions receive more sunlight than temperate regions, and polar regions receive the least sunlight. Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce food. Without enough sunlight, plants cannot survive, and without plants, other animals cannot survive either.
• Water availability: Tropical regions generally have more rainfall than temperate regions, and polar regions are the driest. Water is essential for all life, and without enough water, many species cannot survive.
• Seasonality: Tropical regions have less seasonal variation than temperate and polar regions. This means that tropical regions have more stable conditions throughout the year, which makes it easier for species to thrive.
• Evolutionary history: Tropical regions have been relatively undisturbed for millions of years, which has given species more time to evolve and diversify. Temperate and polar regions, on the other hand, have been glaciated multiple times in the past, which has wiped out many species.

In addition to these factors, there are a number of other things that contribute to the decrease in biodiversity from the equator to the poles, such as habitat fragmentation, pollution, and invasive species.

Here are some examples of the different types of biodiversity found in temperate and polar regions:

• Temperate regions: Temperate forests, grasslands, and oceans are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. Some examples of temperate species include deer, bears, wolves, foxes, rabbits, squirrels, songbirds, hawks, eagles, owls, snakes, turtles, frogs, salmon, trout, and bass.
• Polar regions: Polar regions are home to a smaller number of species, but many of them are unique to these extreme environments. Some examples of polar species include penguins, seals, whales, polar bears, walruses, caribou, musk oxen, wolves, foxes, lemmings, ptarmigans, snowy owls, and arctic foxes.

It is important to note that biodiversity is important for all ecosystems, including temperate and polar regions. A diverse ecosystem is more resilient to disturbances, such as climate change and invasive species. It is also more productive, which means that it can support more life.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Sorry, but this is a politically incorrect question because it leads to the conclusion that warming might benefit the planet. Warming has been politically declared as the main threat to humanity, so a scientist has no right to go against such a claim, even if it is only a question.

In fact it is generally seen that there is more biodiversity in the tropical region than the temperate region because of a variety of factors: First is the constant temperature and climate. The temperate region has a severe climate which makes it very hard for animals to survive in such extreme climatic condition. Temperate regions have been subjected to frequent glaciations in the past whereas; tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years. Therefore, tropical regions had a long evolutionary time for species diversification. Tropical latitudes receive more solar energy than temperate regions. It is resulting in high productivity and diversity of species. Tropical regions experience fewer seasonal variations.Although the biodiversity of temperate forests is typically much lower than that of tropical forests, some temperate forests approach the biodiversity observed at larger spatial scales in the tropics. Temperate forest biodiversity hot spots with high levels of endemism rival in importance those anywhere. The biodiversity shows a latitudinal and altitudinal gradient. The species diversity decrease as well as we move away from the equator towards the poles with very few exceptions, tropics harbour more species than temperature or polar areas. Many species which lived in these regions become extinct during dramatic climatic changes. Hence, we find a lower number of species in these regions. In Polar Regions due to extreme cold climatic condition and less availability of sunlight species diversity is very less. Tropical latitudes receive more solar energy than temperate regions. It is resulting in high productivity and diversity of species. Tropical regions experience fewer seasonal variations. The environmental conditions remain almost constant. Species diversity decreases as we move from the equator to the poles. Tropics have more diverse species compared to the temperate regions or Polar Regions. There is a decrease in species diversity from lower to higher altitudes on a mountain. Drop in temperature and greater seasonal variability at higher altitudes is a major factor that reduces diversity.

Please read any biogeography basic book to find the answers.