What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the diversity of life. This more specifically refers to the different kinds plants, animals and other organism within a certain area. It can be looked at from the stand point of the entire world, or it can looked at in individual ecosystems. The amount of biodiversity differs throughout the world but it follows the general pattern of latitudinal gradient. This means there is there is less biodiversity the farther you get away from the equator.
3 Components of Biodiversity
Species, genetic and habitat diversity all help to allow this world, and Its many ecosystems, to have biodiversity.
Species diversity- The measure of the number of species within a given ecosystem, along with the numbers of individuals within the species.
Genetic diversity- The differences in genetic code between individuals of a species.
Habitat diversity- The different places and environments that organisms live in.
Without each of these kinds of diversity, biodiversity would be impossible to maintain. Species diversity helps to make sure that an ecosystem has the many different species needed for biodiversity. Genetic diversity keeps individual species healthy. Habitat diversity makes sure that the many forms of life on this earth have homes that suit their individual make-up.
Species diversity- The measure of the number of species within a given ecosystem, along with the numbers of individuals within the species.
Genetic diversity- The differences in genetic code between individuals of a species.
Habitat diversity- The different places and environments that organisms live in.
Without each of these kinds of diversity, biodiversity would be impossible to maintain. Species diversity helps to make sure that an ecosystem has the many different species needed for biodiversity. Genetic diversity keeps individual species healthy. Habitat diversity makes sure that the many forms of life on this earth have homes that suit their individual make-up.
Why is it Important?
Biodiversity is important to every ecosystem and the world as a whole. Two reasons it is so important is that it helps to increase the productivity and stability of ecosystems. These can be seen in the productivity and stability hypotheses.
Stability Hypothesis- This hypothesis state that, because the equatorial regions provide a fairly constant environment(even during Ice ages), biodiversity is more easily maintained there. Organisms have been able to survive, without interruption from climate change, in those regions much longer than organisms else where. The equatorial environment has thus had millions of years for its organisms to evolve. Each species has evolved to fit into the environment and this help create a stable ecosystem.
Productivity Hypothesis- This hypothesis states that the biodiversity of the equatorial regions comes from the great living condition provided by the environment. The high amount of sun the region gets allows more plants to capture more energy. With more plants having more energy, more herbivores are able to thrive. With more herbivores thriving, more predators are able to survive as well. Competition for food is thus limited because there is more than enough to go around. With competition taken out of the equation, more species are able to survive in the same ecosystem.
Stability Hypothesis- This hypothesis state that, because the equatorial regions provide a fairly constant environment(even during Ice ages), biodiversity is more easily maintained there. Organisms have been able to survive, without interruption from climate change, in those regions much longer than organisms else where. The equatorial environment has thus had millions of years for its organisms to evolve. Each species has evolved to fit into the environment and this help create a stable ecosystem.
Productivity Hypothesis- This hypothesis states that the biodiversity of the equatorial regions comes from the great living condition provided by the environment. The high amount of sun the region gets allows more plants to capture more energy. With more plants having more energy, more herbivores are able to thrive. With more herbivores thriving, more predators are able to survive as well. Competition for food is thus limited because there is more than enough to go around. With competition taken out of the equation, more species are able to survive in the same ecosystem.
Biology for the Informed Citizen: with physiology Donna M. Bozzone, Douglas S. Green