Final answer:
Most transfers occur near the site of origin, creating a gradient of transfer frequencies, affecting the structure of meta-populations and biodiversity patterns in relation to elevation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is discussing ecological processes, specifically the transfer of individuals or genetic material within populations or between different populations in ecology. Such transfers often occur near the site of origin, creating a gradient of transfer frequencies.
In a more fragmented landscape, a meta-population might emerge, where there could either be little movement between subpopulations or frequent movement to the point where it behaves almost as a single population. In the case of biodiversity in relation to elevation, species richness tends to either decrease with distance from sea level or display a hump-shaped pattern where diversity increases with elevation up to a certain point before declining.