As Mountains Rise, Biodiversity Blooms

As Mountains Rise, Biodiversity Blooms

In 1807, pioneering German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt published a now-iconic illustration of the Ecuadorean volcano Chimborazo, known as Tableau Physique. One half of the mountain he drew is lush and verdant, skirted by thin clouds, smoke billowing from the snow-capped summit. The other half is a mountain silhouette coated with species names, each written at the rough elevation where Humboldt encountered it. It’s a reminder of the richnes…