The correct option is India.
Explanation
Biodiversity can be described at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats, biotic communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere. It is heavily influenced by geographical relief, climatic variations, and the presence of distinct biomes.
Comparative Analysis
- India: India exhibits a high degree of ecosystem diversity due to its varied geographical relief and climatic conditions. It encompasses a wide range of distinct ecosystems, including deserts, tropical rain forests, mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries, and alpine meadows. This variety allows for a greater number of ecological niches.
- Norway, Sweden, and Iceland: These countries are located at higher latitudes (temperate to polar regions). While they possess specific geographical features like fjords and mountains, their ecosystem diversity is comparatively lower than that of a tropical/subtropical country like India. They lack the extensive variety of biomes (e.g., deserts, coral reefs, diverse forest types) found in India.
Key Takeaway
Ecosystem diversity is maximized in regions with varied topography and climate, such as India, which supports a broader spectrum of habitats compared to high-latitude countries like Norway.