An elevation gradient refers to the change in environmental conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, and biodiversity, with increasing elevation in a particular area. This gradient is often studied in mountainous regions to understand how ecosystems and species diversity change with elevation. Researchers may examine how vegetation types shift with elevation, how animal populations are distributed across different elevations, and how climate conditions vary at higher elevations. Studying elevation gradients can provide valuable insights into the effects of altitude on biodiversity, species interactions, and ecosystem functioning.