Question

In north america, the number of species of mammals generally

a. increases from north to south.
b. decreases from north to south.
c. increases from east to west.
d. decreases from east to west.

Answer 1

The number of species of mammals in North America generally increases from north to south, with higher species richness associated with equatorial latitudes. The answer is option A.

Step-by-step explanation:

In North America, the number of species of mammals generally increases from north to south. This pattern is one of the oldest observed in ecology, where species biodiversity universally increases as latitude declines, meaning there is greater biodiversity closer to the equator.

Changes in the geographical distribution of species can also be affected by climate change, as seen with the northward and upward shift in habitats for various species, like Edith's checkerspot butterfly and the American pika. Thus, for mammal species richness in North America, the correct answer to the student's question is a. increases from north to south.