What is the green world hypothesis?

The green world hypothesis is a biological hypothesis that suggests the high abundance of edible plants and low abundance of plant-feeding insects has led to the evolution of herbivorous insects with specialized relationships to specific plants. This hypothesis was proposed by ecologist Paul Ehrlich in the 1960s as a way to explain the diversity and complexity of plant-feeding insects in tropical rainforests.

According to the green world hypothesis, plants have evolved chemical defenses to protect themselves from herbivores, and herbivorous insects have co-evolved mechanisms to overcome these defenses and utilize specific plants as food sources. This dynamic interaction between plants and herbivores has led to the evolution of a wide variety of specialized feeding strategies and adaptation among both plants and insects.

The green world hypothesis has been supported by numerous studies showing the importance of plant-herbivore interactions in driving the diversity and distribution of species in ecosystems. It highlights the interconnectedness of plant and insect communities and the complex relationships that have evolved over millions of years.

Overall, the green world hypothesis provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of plant-herbivore interactions and the evolutionary processes that have shaped the diversity of species in ecosystems.