Why do mountains often have more biodiversity than surrounding lowlands?
Quick Answer
Mountains create many climates and habitats in a small area as temperature, moisture, and sunlight change with elevation and slope. That variety can support many species and drive endemism.
The Full Story
A mountain range can act like a stack of different ecosystems. As elevation rises, temperature falls, precipitation patterns shift, and slopes facing different directions receive different amounts of sun and rain. These conditions create forests, grasslands, alpine meadows, cliffs, and cloud forests close together. Isolation between valleys can also lead to the evolution of unique species found nowhere else. Regions such as the Andes and the Himalayas are famous for high biodiversity because topography and climate vary so strongly over short distances.
Key Facts
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