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Q24 (IAS/2011) Environment & Ecology › Biodiversity & Protected Areas › Biodiversity patterns Answer Verified

The Himalayan range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: B
Explanation

The Himalayan range's exceptional species diversity is primarily attributed to its unique position as a confluence of different biogeographical zones. It serves as a transition belt where the Palaearctic and Indomalayan realms meet . The region encompasses ten distinct biogeographic zones and twenty-five provinces, including the Trans-Himalaya, North-West, West, Central, and East Himalaya [2]. This convergence allows for a diverse range of biotic provinces and biomes within a single mountain chain [2]. Furthermore, the extreme altitudinal variation—ranging from tropical foothills to alpine pastures and cold deserts—creates a vast variety of landforms and climates, supporting a unique wildlife assemblage of global conservation importance [5]. While factors like rainfall and human interference exist, the fundamental reason for the high richness is the overlap of these diverse biogeographical and floristic regions [3].

Sources

  1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > t d) Bio-geographic provinces. 'i > p. 153
  2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > c) Bio-geographic Zones: > p. 152
  3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Biogeographic zones of India > p. 25
  4. [5] https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/PAPS-006.pdf
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