Chapter 8 Abudul Gaku

In chapter 8 of the book, Kolbert is is Peru and meets with professor Miles Silman, an ecologist at Wake Forest University. There are a large number of forests located in South America, and there are about a thousand different tree species that are found in Peru. In addition to the high number of tree species, there are also many fungi, birds, and frogs. This is due to the reproduction rate being higher in forests. The reproduction rate also contributes to mutations and and more species. Each zone has a unique temperature, humidity, and species. Kolbert then explains the pattern called “Latitude Diversity Gradient”, which suggests that species are more diverse at lower heights. The species alive today have adapted to the changes in the environment whether the rising temperatures or changing of climate. Habitat destruction and humans taking up land have decreased the amount of space for species to live in. This chapter made me question what role I play in the destruction of habitats.