The variety of life at the level of genes, species and ecosystems.
Genetic diversity gives adaptability; species diversity gives community richness; ecosystem diversity gives stability. Biodiversity provides food, medicine and services. The term was popularised by E.O. Wilson in the 1980s.
Biodiversity is measured at several levels. It is unevenly distributed. Loss reduces ecosystem services.
Remember: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity are all important.
The variety of life at the level of genes, species and ecosystems.
Biodiversity is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Genetic Diversity, Ecosystem Diversity, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function.
Coral reefs cover less than 1 percent of the sea floor but host about 25 percent of marine species.
Biodiversity is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity that pair well with it include Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy.
The closest topics to Biodiversity are Genetic Diversity, Ecosystem Diversity, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, Conservation Biology. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Biodiversity. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
Biodiversity: The variety of life at the level of genes, species and ecosystems. Genetic Diversity: Variation of alleles within a species that enables adaptation and resilience. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Genetic Diversity and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Variation of alleles within a species that enables adaptation and resilience.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityThe variety of habitats, communities and ecological processes in a region.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityExperiments show richer communities often have higher productivity and stability.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityThe scientific study and protection of biodiversity.
🗂️ Taxonomy & Biodiversity