Rapoport's rule

Rapoport's rule is a derived from empirical observations rule of ecology. It says that with increasing latitude increases the range size for living beings due to increasing niche availability, but decreasing number of species.

In the tropics, according to the generally small areas are expected with a high number of species. In contrast, at higher latitudes, such as in the boreal and polar zone, rather reckoned with large areas. Other factors include the relief and the height gradient: in the relief- rich areas of the tropics should be according to the rule, the species to be concentrated more in a lower altitudinal gradient in the north, however, in higher areas.

Criticism and restriction

Although the Raportsche rule is empirically derived, but does not account for the influence of the global land mass distribution. This can partly from the rule on small-scale geographic conditions no satisfactory derivation be made because there affect local conditions, the areas and the propagation conditions.

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• Ecology