Q4 of 62 Page 110

A species-area curve is drawn by plotting the number of species against the area. How is it that when a very large area is considered the slope is steeper than that for smaller areas?

According to Alexander Von Humboldt species richness increases with increase in explored area. This happens due to the fact that as the area increases the availability of the natural resources also increase which supports diversification. Hence the value of slope increases and it becomes steeper.


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2

Of the four major causes for the loss of biodiversity (Alien species invasion, habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation and co-extinctions which according to you is the major cause for the loss of biodiversity? Give reasons in support.

 3

Discuss one example, based on your day-to-day observations, showing how loss of one species may lead to the extinction of another.

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Is it possible that productivity and diversity of a natural community remain constant over a time period of, say one hundred years?

 6

There is greater biodiversity in tropical /subtropical regions than in temperate region. Explain.