Question

Which statement is closest to Alfred Russel Wallace's early hypothesis for the higher diversity of life in the tropics?

a. The tropics have a larger land area than other parts of the globe, and thus can support species with larger population sizes. Such species are less prone to extinction.
b. The tropics have a larger land area than other parts of the globe, and thus can support species with larger population sizes. Such species are more apt to produce new species.
c. The tropics are more climatically stable than other parts of the globe, and thus can support species with larger population sizes. Such species are less prone to extinction.
d. The tropics are more climatically stable than other parts of the globe, and thus tropical species have had more time to diversify than those in areas with severe climatic conditions.

Answer 1

Option D.

Alfred Russel Wallace hypothesized that the consistency and stability of tropical climates have allowed species in these regions to have more time for diversification and speciation compared to those in areas with severe climatic conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alfred Russel Wallace's early hypothesis to explain why there is higher diversity of life in the tropics is best summarized by stating that tropical regions are more climatically stable, thus allowing species to diversify over time.

While other hypotheses exist, such as more direct solar energy input and the greater age of tropical ecosystems providing more time for speciation, Wallace's perspective emphasizes the stability of tropical climates.

This stability is less disturbed by severe climate conditions and day-length seasonality compared to temperate regions, thereby creating a more conducive environment for species to evolve and diversify into specialized niches.

The tropical stability hypothesis suggests that with fewer environmental stresses, populations can persist longer and have a greater likelihood of differentiating into new species.

This contrasts with the more volatile and seasonal climates of temperate areas, which might limit such diversification.

In essence, the unchanging environmental conditions might promote long-term evolutionary processes and endemism.

Thus, the correct option that aligns with Alfred Russel Wallace's hypothesis is:

d. The tropics are more climatically stable than other parts of the globe, and thus tropical species have had more time to diversify than those in areas with severe climatic conditions.