Why does Biodiversity decrease as we go from the equator to the poles ? What is the importance of Buffer zone in people-wildlife conflict ??These...

The climate at the equator is warm, moist and either
desert or rain-forest.  The rain forest biome has been noted to have the greatest amount
of biodiversity in an ecosystem. Resources are abundant both in food sources and in
shelter sources because the rain forest has both a tertiary shelter system and a
vertical shelter system. Water is abundant and therefore not a limiting factor, food is
abundant and does not depend on a climate induced growing season.  Many types of animal
and plant life cohabit the same area. Predator and prey animals flourish in the rain
forest biome which is typically located in equatorial regions. In the oceans, the
equator is where the cold ocean currents are warmed and begin the warm water return
conveyor toward the polar regions. Ocean life in the equatorial waters is equally varied
as that on land. Many coral reefs are located in equatorial waters and form barrier
islands that protect mainlands from hurricane force winds and
waves.

Water is a limiting factor near the equator in
desert biomes, and water is a limiting factor in arctic biomes as it is frequently found
in the form of ice and not usable for consumption by animals. Temperature is another
limiting factor. In desert biomes, water is simply not available. In temperate biomes,
water may be abundant and therefore not a limiting factor. Food may be a limiting factor
the further away from the equator one travels as the growing seasons are shortened for
the producers (plant life) and therefore limit the number of prey species a geographical
area may support.

The further away from the number one life
source of solar energy, the more energy it costs or requires to live in cooler areas.
So, it is a cost/benefit relationship for an animal to move to a cooler area. Is the
energy spent worth the available food in order to live in an area. (Animals do not have
the ability to rationalize in this manner.)

Buffer zones or
greenways are used to help animal life and plant life remain interconnected, safe from
human encroachment, and safe from poaching. Inbreeding in some tiger and lion groups due
to isolation has resulted in some severe genetic problems that threaten the populations
in those areas. Having a green zone where the animal life can continue to live and
intermix allows for continued biodiversity while allowing the animals to interbreed with
groups other immediate offspring or sibling individuals. Biodiversity is preserved as
green areas are protected from development and industry