Biodiversity and Its Threats

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

A group of populations that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

All the genetic variation within a species.

The variety of species in a given area.

The variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within an ecosystem.

The disappearance of a species from Earth.

The primary cause of biodiversity loss, often driven by human activities.

The increasing rate of species disappearing.

The variety of life on Earth, including all plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and their ecosystems.

A group of interacting populations of different species living in the same area.

A geographic area with all the living organisms and their physical environment.

A unit of inherited material that determines an organism's traits.

The process of losing species or biodiversity from Earth.

The loss or decline of a species can result in a decrease in overall biodiversity within an ecosystem.

The removal of coyotes in southern California led to an increase in raccoons, which prey on bird eggs, ultimately causing a decline in songbird populations.

Introducing non-native species can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem, negatively affecting native plant and animal populations.

Exotic species can have a variety of negative impacts on native species, including predation, disease transmission, competition for resources, and hybridization.

Overhunting, overfishing, or over-collection can lead to the depletion or even extinction of a species or population.

Pollution and contamination from human activities can have adverse effects on various levels of biodiversity within an ecosystem.

Changes in environmental conditions due to global climate change can have significant impacts on biodiversity.

Human activities can disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems, leading to consequences for biodiversity.

The variety of life on Earth, including all plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and other organisms.

Any species harvested for food, such as animals hunted or fished, or plants cultivated for agriculture.

The use of living organisms for various purposes, including medicines, building materials, and clothing.

The process by which organisms transfer pollen, facilitating plant reproduction.

The natural regulation of pest populations by predators and parasites.

The process of breaking down organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

The services that healthy ecosystems provide humans, such as clean air and water, food, and climate regulation. These services are diminished or lost with biodiversity loss.

The natural changes in populations or groups of species that have a common function within an ecosystem. Ecologists study these shifts to understand how ecosystems operate.

The interconnectedness of biodiversity and biogeochemical processes, such as nutrient cycling. Biodiversity plays a vital role in these processes, and their disruption can have cascading effects on ecosystems.

The inherent value and importance of a variety of living organisms for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.

The diverse range of living organisms enabling other species to use resources they provide. For instance, trees provide habitat and nutrients for birds, insects, and fungi.

The ability of diverse organisms to provide models for research in medicine and other fields. For example, studying seals' deep-water diving may help treat human stroke patients.

Resources like food, shelter, and health that humans rely on from Earth's diversity. This includes food crops, building materials, and medicinal plants.

The disruption of ecosystem functions and services caused by the loss of populations, species, or groups of species.

The possible loss of pollination services for fruit crops and flowers due to declining honeybee populations.

The potential for species and populations to disappear if they cannot adapt to changing conditions or relocate.