Statement 1 is Correct: Biodiversity generally increases from the poles toward the equator (lower latitudes). This is because tropical regions receive more solar energy, leading to higher primary productivity and more stable climatic conditions that support a wider variety of species.

Statement 2 is Correct: Along mountain gradients, species richness typically decreases as altitude increases. Lower altitudes offer more favorable temperatures, higher oxygen levels, and more diverse habitats, whereas high-altitude environments are characterized by extreme cold and harsh conditions that limit the number of species that can survive.