Question

Tropical rainforests have high species richness of trees. Which of the following statements provides the MOST reasonable explanation why animal species richness is also high in tropical rainforests?A) Animals have had the same amount of time to evolve in rainforest areas as trees.B) Animals have diversified into the vast number of niches provided by tree diversity.C) Animal diversification rates are higher than those of trees.D) Animals are unable to adapt to climate variability in higher latitudes.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: B). Animals have diversified into the vast number of niches provided by tree diversity.

Explanation:

• The tropical rainforests are rich in diverse types of tree species.
• This is because the climatic or environmental conditions that prevail in the rain forest region is optimally ambient for the growth of a wide variety of tree and plant species.
• The tropical region provides sufficient amount of sunlight, heat or temperature and optimum rainfall which promotes the growth of multiple species of plants and trees.
• These varieties of trees and plants provides shelter, food and habitat to a large number of animal species, with each of them occupying a different ecological niche.
• An ecological niche can be defined as the association and interaction which a species has with its environment, both biotic and abiotic, to carry out its growth, development, metabolism and reproduction.