Previous Year Question

Tropical Rain Forests are among the most biodiversity-rich terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. They contain an exceptionally high diversity of plants, animals, insects, fungi and microorganisms.

The major reasons for their high biodiversity are—

Warm and humid climate throughout the year: High temperature and abundant rainfall allow biological activity to continue almost throughout the year.

High Primary Productivity: Abundant sunlight, temperature and moisture allow plants to produce biomass rapidly, providing food and energy to numerous trophic levels.

Multiple Layers of Vegetation: Distinct layers such as the emergent layer, canopy, understory and forest floor provide numerous ecological niches.

Long evolutionary stability: Relatively stable climatic conditions in tropical regions over long periods have provided more time for species diversification and specialization.

In contrast, the Tundra experiences extreme cold and a short growing season, while Coniferous and Temperate Forests experience more seasonal climatic conditions. Their biodiversity is therefore generally lower than that of Tropical Rain Forests.