What is the main factor affecting plant survival in various latitudes?

Temperature variations throughout the year are indeed the main factor affecting plant survival across different latitudes. This is because temperature significantly influences a range of physiological processes in plants, including growth, flowering, and nutrient uptake. As latitude changes, so does the climate, affecting seasonal temperature patterns that directly impact the types of vegetation that can thrive in those regions.

In colder climates found at higher latitudes, plants must be adapted to withstand low temperatures and shorter growing seasons, whereas warmer latitudes allow for a more diverse range of plant species to flourish year-round due to milder temperatures.

While soil type and nutrient availability, density of animal species, and human interference are certainly important factors influencing plant survival, they operate within the broader context that is largely dictated by temperature and climate. For example, specific plants may thrive in nutrient-rich soils, but if the temperature is not suitable for their survival, those plants cannot grow regardless of soil quality. Similarly, animal density may affect plant reproduction and survival, yet the overarching influence of temperature remains a primary factor in determining what types of plants can survive in various latitudinal climates.