Biodiversity

• Define biodiversity and its three levels: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

• Explain why biodiversity is important for a stable and healthy ecosystem.

• Identify major threats to biodiversity, like habitat loss and invasive species.

• Describe different ways we can protect biodiversity and save animal species.

Key Vocabulary

Biodiversity

The variety of all living things in a specific area, from smallest germs to largest animals.

Keystone Species

A species that other organisms in an ecosystem depend on for survival and balance.

Genetic Diversity

The range of different genes and traits found within a single species or population.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of habitats and ecological processes in and between different ecosystems.

Extinction

The complete dying out of a species, so none are left alive anywhere on Earth.

Habitat Fragmentation

When a large habitat is broken up into smaller, isolated patches of that habitat.

What Is Biodiversity?

• Biodiversity is the variety of all living things on Earth.

• It includes everything from tiny bacteria to the largest plants and animals.

• Scientists have identified and named nearly 2 million different species so far.

• Plants and bacteria make up most of the living mass on Earth.

The Three Levels of Biodiversity

Species Diversity

• ​This is the number of different species in a particular area.

• ​​It also includes the abundance of each of these different species.

• ​Rainforests have high species diversity, with almost half of all species.

Genetic Diversity

• ​This refers to the variety of genes within a single species.

• ​​A large gene pool helps a population adapt to environmental changes.

• ​This process of survival and adaptation is called natural selection.

Ecosystem Diversity

• ​This is the variety of different habitats and ecological communities.

• ​​It describes how living things interact with their different environments.

• ​All three levels of biodiversity are very important for our planet.

Importance of Biodiversity

Ecological Value

• ​High biodiversity makes ecosystems more stable and resilient to disturbances.

• ​​Every organism depends on others, creating an interdependent web of life.

• ​A keystone species removal can drastically change the entire ecosystem.

Economic Value

• ​Humans rely on organisms for food, medicine, and building supplies.

• ​​Ecotourism, which involves travel to natural areas, provides many jobs.

• ​It generates income for many nations through wildlife observation activities.

Beauty and Recreation

• ​Wild organisms and healthy ecosystems are a great source of beauty.

• ​​Nature provides opportunities for recreation, such as hiking and camping.

• ​Spending time in nature contributes to our well-being and happiness.

Factors Affecting Biodiversity

• Climate is key; areas near the equator with stable temperatures have more biodiversity.

• An ecosystem's area matters, as larger spaces can typically support more species.

• High niche diversity allows more organisms to have different roles, boosting biodiversity.

• Biomes have unique flora (plants), fauna (animals), and can contain smaller microhabitats.

Threats to Biodiversity

• Extinction is when an entire species disappears from the Earth, often due to humans.

• ​Habitat destruction is losing a habitat; fragmentation is breaking it into smaller pieces.

• Poaching, or illegal hunting, and pollution are major threats to many animal species.

• Invasive species compete with native life for resources like food, water, and space.

Protecting Biodiversity

• At-risk species are classified as endangered (near extinction) or threatened.

• Captive breeding in zoos helps to boost the populations of these species.

• Laws and treaties protect species, but preserving whole ecosystems is most effective.

• We can help by restoring habitats and preventing the spread of invasive species.

• Biodiversity is the variety of life at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

• High biodiversity leads to more stable ecosystems and benefits humans.

• Threats to biodiversity include habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.

• Protecting keystone species and creating protected areas helps conserve biodiversity.