Biodiversity: Types and Importance

Study Notes

Definition: Variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole
Types of Biodiversity:
- Genetic diversity: variation within species
- Species diversity: number of different species
- Ecosystem diversity: variety of ecosystems
Importance:
- Maintains ecosystem services (e.g. pollination, pest control)
- Provides food, medicine, and other resources
- Supports climate regulation and disaster resilience
Threats to Biodiversity:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Climate change
- Overexploitation of resources
- Pollution and invasive species

Definition: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Principles:
- Social justice and equity
- Economic viability
- Environmental stewardship
Indicators of Sustainability:
- Environmental impact (e.g. carbon footprint, resource depletion)
- Social well-being (e.g. poverty rates, education)
- Economic stability (e.g. GDP, income inequality)
Challenges:
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
- Addressing global inequality and poverty
- Managing resources for future generations

Definition: Preservation and protection of natural resources, including ecosystems and species
Types of Conservation:
- In situ conservation: protecting ecosystems in their natural habitats
- Ex situ conservation: protecting species or ecosystems outside their natural habitats (e.g. zoos, seed banks)
Conservation Strategies:
- Habitat restoration and preservation
- Species reintroduction and breeding programs
- Education and community engagement
Challenges:
- Conflicting human interests (e.g. development, agriculture)
- Limited resources and funding
- Addressing climate change and other global threats

Definition: Community of living and non-living components (e.g. plants, animals, soil, water) interacting in a specific environment
Types of Ecosystems:
- Terrestrial ecosystems (e.g. forests, grasslands)
- Freshwater ecosystems (e.g. rivers, lakes)
- Marine ecosystems (e.g. coral reefs, open ocean)
Ecosystem Services:
- Provisioning services (e.g. food, water)
- Regulating services (e.g. climate regulation, pest control)
- Cultural services (e.g. recreation, spiritual values)
Threats to Ecosystems:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Climate change
- Pollution and invasive species

Definition: Variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole
Types: Genetic diversity, Species diversity, Ecosystem diversity
Importance: Maintains ecosystem services, Provides food, medicine, and other resources, Supports climate regulation and disaster resilience
Threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation, Climate change, Overexploitation of resources, Pollution and invasive species

Definition: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Principles: Social justice and equity, Economic viability, Environmental stewardship
Indicators: Environmental impact, Social well-being, Economic stability
Challenges: Balancing economic growth with environmental protection, Addressing global inequality and poverty, Managing resources for future generations

Definition: Preservation and protection of natural resources, including ecosystems and species
Types: In situ conservation, Ex situ conservation
Strategies: Habitat restoration and preservation, Species reintroduction and breeding programs, Education and community engagement
Challenges: Conflicting human interests, Limited resources and funding, Addressing climate change and other global threats

Definition: Community of living and non-living components interacting in a specific environment
Types: Terrestrial ecosystems, Freshwater ecosystems, Marine ecosystems
Services: Provisioning services, Regulating services, Cultural services
Threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation, Climate change, Pollution and invasive species