Which of the following statements provides an incorrect explanation for the higher diversity in tropical areas compared to temperate areas?

Tropical areas receive less solar energy.

The correct answer is Option (2) - Tropical areas receive less solar energy.

The distribution of plant and animal diversity on Earth is not uniform but rather uneven. One well-known pattern is the latitudinal gradient in diversity, where species diversity generally decreases as we move away from the equator towards the poles. Tropics (the latitudinal range of 23.5° N to 23.5° S) are known to harbor more species than temperate or polar areas, with only a few exceptions.

Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have proposed various hypotheses to explain this pattern:

(a) Speciation: Speciation, the process of forming new species, is generally a function of time. Tropical latitudes have experienced relatively fewer disturbances over millions of years compared to temperate regions, which were subjected to frequent glaciations in the past. The undisturbed nature of tropical environments allowed for a longer period of evolutionary time, leading to greater species diversification.

(b) Constant Environments: Tropical environments are known for being less seasonal and more constant and predictable compared to temperate regions. The stability and predictability of tropical ecosystems promote niche specialization among species, which contributes to a greater overall species diversity.

(c) Solar Energy: The tropics receive more solar energy compared to higher latitudes. This abundance of solar energy contributes to higher productivity in tropical ecosystems, providing more resources and energy for various species. As a result, higher productivity might indirectly contribute to greater species diversity.

Overall, these hypotheses provide insights into the factors influencing biodiversity patterns across different latitudinal regions on Earth.