Biodiversity and Human Impacts

refers to the variety of life (plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms) on earth

Biodiversity is typically greater near the equator

A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops

biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services

Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

Humans pose a great threat to biodiversity around the world:

Degradation, destruction, and fragmentation of habitats

Pollution and introduction of invasive species