As ecologists studied biodiversity in the environment, they categorised two broad types of diversity patterns, namely-
Latitudinal gradient- As per this pattern, the specific diversity follows a regular pattern as we move from the equator to the Polar Regions. The plant and animal diversity are observed to be the maximum at the equator, and it decreases as we move towards the poles.
Species-Area Relationships- The great German geographer and naturalist Alexander Van Humbodlt observed the relation between an area and species richness. He found that as he increased the observation area, the plant and animal diversity increased but only up to a certain level.