Question

“species richness” refers to the number of different species in an area. it is the highest near the equator because of the warm climate year - round, and decreases as latitude increases approaching the poles because of the colder climate and varied seasons. not only does species richness decline in relation to an increase in latitude (an inverse relationship) for terrestrial biomes, aquatic/marine biomes also vary in species richness. why do you think species richness tends to be higher near the equator? why would it be lower near the poles? what does an inverse relationship mean? terrestrial biomes refer to what part of earth’s systems?

Explanation:

1. Climate impacts species survival and diversity. Warm equatorial climate supports more species.
2. Definition of inverse relationship is based on variable change patterns.
3. Terrestrial biomes are land - centered ecosystems.

Answer:

1. Species richness is higher near the equator due to warm - year - round climate providing more resources and stable conditions for a greater variety of species to thrive. It is lower near the poles because of colder climate and more variable seasons which limit the types of species that can survive.
2. An inverse relationship means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. In the context of species richness and latitude, as latitude increases (moving towards the poles), species richness decreases.
3. Terrestrial biomes refer to the land - based parts of Earth's ecosystems, including deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, etc.