Predict the rank order of the following locations from lowest species richness to highest species richness,using the latitudinal gradient of species richness to form your prediction:
Temperate forest in North Carolina,steppe in Patagonia (southern tip of South America),rainforest in Costa Rica,boreal forest in Ontario (east-central Canada)
A)steppe in Patagonia,temperate forest in North Carolina,boreal forest in Ontario,rainforest in Costa Rica
B)temperate forest in North Carolina,steppe in Patagonia,rainforest in Costa Rica,boreal forest in Ontario
C)steppe in Patagonia,boreal forest in Ontario,temparate forest in North Carolina,rainforest in Costa Rica
D)rainforest in Costa Rica,temperate forest in North Carolina,boreal forest in Ontario,steppe in Patagonia
E)boreal forest in Ontario,temparate forest in North Carolina,steppe in Patagonia,rainforest in Costa Rica

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The latitudinal gradient of species richness suggests that species richness increases as one moves from the poles towards the equator. The steppe in Patagonia (southern tip of South America) and the boreal forest in Ontario (east-central Canada) are closer to the poles, with the steppe likely having the lowest richness due to its harsh, dry conditions. The temperate forest in North Carolina is further south, but not as close to the equator as the rainforest in Costa Rica, which is known for its high species richness.

Predict the Rank Order of the Following Locations from Lowest