Biodiversity and Evolution Quiz

Biodiversity Components

• Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms on Earth, including species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and genetic diversity.
• A component that is NOT part of biodiversity is something unrelated to living organisms or ecosystems.

Importance of Biodiversity

• Biodiversity plays a crucial role in ecosystem stability and resilience, helping to maintain ecological balance.
• It contributes to human well-being by providing resources such as food, clean water, and medicinal compounds.
• Biodiversity supports ecosystem services, including pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

Ecological Diversity

• Ecological diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems within a particular area, each with unique communities of organisms.
• This form of diversity contributes to the different habitats and ecological roles, influencing species interaction and ecosystem functionality.

Functional Diversity

• Functional diversity involves the range of different biological traits or functions present within a community that affect ecosystem processes.
• It encompasses how organisms respond to environmental changes and their roles in ecosystem services, contributing to resilience.

Genetic Diversity

• Genetic diversity is the variety of genetic information within and among species, enabling populations to adapt to changing conditions.
• High genetic diversity increases the likelihood of survival for species facing environmental pressures, diseases, and climate change.