The most plausible hypothesis to explain why species richness is higher in tropical than in temperate regions is that?

Question: The most plausible hypothesis to explain why species richness is higher in tropical than in temperate regions is that?

The most widely accepted hypothesis to explain why species richness is higher in tropical than in temperate regions is the "Tropical niche conservatism" hypothesis.

This hypothesis suggests that tropical regions have a greater diversity of species because of the relatively stable and constant climate conditions found in these regions. This stability allows for the evolution of highly specialized species that are adapted to specific ecological niches, resulting in a higher species diversity.

In contrast, temperate regions experience greater seasonal and climatic variability, which limits the ability of species to specialize and adapt to specific niches. This may lead to a lower diversity of species in these regions.

Other factors that may contribute to the higher species richness in tropical regions include greater solar radiation and longer growing seasons, which can promote faster rates of speciation and greater opportunities for evolutionary diversification.

However, it is worth noting that there are still many debates and alternative hypotheses proposed to explain the latitudinal diversity gradient, and the causes of species richness patterns are likely to be complex and multifaceted.

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