Biodiversity and Its Importance

What is genetic diversity primarily a measure of?

How do genetic differences arise between populations of the same species?

What can limit genetic diversity in a population?

Why is genetic diversity important for a species?

Which of the following describes a consequence of inbreeding in isolated populations?

What does biodiversity encompass?

Which level of biodiversity refers to the number and range of different ecosystems?

What is species richness?

What generally indicates high biodiversity within a region?

How is species evenness defined?

Why are ecosystems with high species diversity more stable?

What characteristic of large sandy deserts contributes to their low biodiversity?

Which of the following ecosystems is likely to have the highest species diversity?

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variation within and between all life forms.
It's assessed at three levels:
- Ecosystem diversity: The range of ecosystems and habitats in a region.
- Species diversity: The number of species and their relative abundance.
- Genetic diversity: The variation in genes and alleles within a species.
Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem resilience, allowing them to resist environmental changes.

Ecosystem Diversity

A high number of different habitats within an area indicates high biodiversity.
Coral reefs are examples of high biodiversity due to complex microhabitats and niches.
Sandy deserts have low biodiversity due to homogenous conditions.

Species Diversity

Species richness refers to the number of species in an ecosystem.
Species diversity considers both richness and evenness of species abundance.
Ecosystems with high species diversity are more stable and resilient to environmental changes.
High species diversity buffers against the potential collapse of an ecosystem when pathogens target a dominant species.

Genetic Diversity

Genetic diversity within a species involves the variation in alleles and genes.
Allele frequencies can differ between populations due to varying selection pressures.
Genetic diversity exists both within and between populations.
Genetic diversity allows populations to adapt to environmental changes, including changes in biotic (predators, pathogens) and abiotic factors (temperature, rainfall).
Small, isolated populations have limited genetic diversity due to inbreeding.
Inbreeding leads to increased homozygosity and reduced genetic diversity, making recessive genetic diseases more common.

Explore the concept of biodiversity, including its levels: ecosystem, species, and genetic diversity. Understand how these variations contribute to ecosystem resilience and stability. Learn about the significance of species richness and evenness in maintaining healthy ecosystems.