The correct option is 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Tropical Region generally refers to the area of the Earth located between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S). This zone is characterized by high temperatures year-round and includes diverse ecosystems ranging from rainforests to deserts.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The tropical regions occupy a significant portion of the Earth's surface. While modern geographical data indicates the tropics cover approximately 40% of the Earth's total surface area (and about 36% of the land area), in the context of this question, the approximation of about one-fourth is accepted as the correct premise relative to the other options.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The tropical regions are home to a substantial portion of the global population, estimated to be around 40% (not less than 10%). This region includes densely populated areas such as the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, and South America.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. Although they cover a small percentage of the Earth's land surface (approximately 6-7%), they are estimated to harbor more than 50% of all terrestrial plant and animal species.
Key Takeaway
Tropical Rainforests are biodiversity hotspots, containing over half of the world's species despite their limited land coverage. The tropical zone itself supports a large and growing share of the human population.