Why is Earth so biologically diverse? Mountains hold the answer

Life on Earth is amazingly diverse, and exhibits striking geographical global patterns in biodiversity. A pair of companion papers reveal that mountain regions — especially those in the tropics — are hotspots of extraordinary and baffling richness. Although mountain regions cover only 25 percent of Earth’s land area, they are home to more than 85 percent of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, and many of these are found only in mountains.

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Temperature ranges would be different

Also there would be more moisture from clouds, fog and mist drifting into them.

I mean…

Marine animal life is more diverse than that on land, and mountains aren’t really a barrier there…

>cover only 25 percent of Earth’s land area,

would that be adjusted surface area, or equivalent perfectly flat area

Diversity is directly linked to habitat, simply the greater the number of habitats the higher the number of different species that will make that habitat home. With mountains there is enormous habitat diversity, not only with rock and soil type, but altitude and position (east vs west and everything between). Even on a side of a mountain there will be wet or dry streams, recesses and exposed locations. These different locations will permit larger or small plants to grow, each forming micro-habitats that will attract suitable species. A lowland area on the other-hand, lacks much of this habitat diversity, often being of similar soil, rainfall, drainage. elevation and tree cover that will provide a more uniform habitat type. So although there may be more animals in a larger area, they would of similar species.

PermeateFree said:

Diversity is directly linked to habitat, simply the greater the number of habitats the higher the number of different species that will make that habitat home. With mountains there is enormous habitat diversity, not only with rock and soil type, but altitude and position (east vs west and everything between). Even on a side of a mountain there will be wet or dry streams, recesses and exposed locations. These different locations will permit larger or small plants to grow, each forming micro-habitats that will attract suitable species. A lowland area on the other-hand, lacks much of this habitat diversity, often being of similar soil, rainfall, drainage. elevation and tree cover that will provide a more uniform habitat type. So although there may be more animals in a larger area, they would of similar species.

what permeate said^

i’d also add that mountains aren’t flat

Tau.Neutrino said:

Why is Earth so biologically diverse? Mountains hold the answer

Life on Earth is amazingly diverse, and exhibits striking geographical global patterns in biodiversity. A pair of companion papers reveal that mountain regions — especially those in the tropics — are hotspots of extraordinary and baffling richness. Although mountain regions cover only 25 percent of Earth’s land area, they are home to more than 85 percent of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, and many of these are found only in mountains.

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Why are the oceans so biologically diverse? eg. more than 500 species of sharks.

mollwollfumble said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Why is Earth so biologically diverse? Mountains hold the answer

Life on Earth is amazingly diverse, and exhibits striking geographical global patterns in biodiversity. A pair of companion papers reveal that mountain regions — especially those in the tropics — are hotspots of extraordinary and baffling richness. Although mountain regions cover only 25 percent of Earth’s land area, they are home to more than 85 percent of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, and many of these are found only in mountains.

more…

Why are the oceans so biologically diverse? eg. more than 500 species of sharks.

If life on land has preferences for temperature (more life around the equator) then it would work vertically as well life having a preference for height

I wonder if oceans are similar ?

Is there a preference for location (equator)

is there a preference for height bottom of sea floor upwards to the surface

goldilocks level zones

To answer my own question partly:

Animal life has existed in the oceans maybe 3 billion years longer than on land. It has had longer to diversify.