Biodiversity
The variety of species living in an ecosystem
Saving endangered species is expensive and requires changes in the way we live, so it makes sense to understand why we should even try.
Species Richness: The diversity of species alive in an area.
Regions of high species richness allow for more varied interactions among species.
Genetic Diversity: The degree of genetic difference among individuals in a species.
If a species is genetically diverse, it is less vulnerable to extinction, which helps to conserve biodiversity. In genetically diverse species, in which individuals vary in their traits, there is a better chance that some individuals will be resistant to new diseases, more tolerant of changing temperature, or better able to face other challenges of changing environment. Species with large populations and a wide geographic distribution are the most genetically diverse.
Genetic diversity is critically important to us. For example, there are only two species of cultivated rice, but we have bred over 120,000 genetically distinct varieties. Non domesticated species derive the same benefits from genetic diversity. A species spread out over a large area adapts genetically to a variety of different conditions. Some of these different forms may be able to thrive even if conditions change.
Habitat Diversity: The range of different types of natural homes or environments in which organisms live.
Our planet is home to many different habitats, including coral reefs, rain forests, prairies, marshes, and more. Since different species are adapted to live in different habitats, it makes sense that more types of habitats result in greater species richness overall (Green, Bozonne).
Species Richness: The diversity of species alive in an area.
Regions of high species richness allow for more varied interactions among species.
Genetic Diversity: The degree of genetic difference among individuals in a species.
If a species is genetically diverse, it is less vulnerable to extinction, which helps to conserve biodiversity. In genetically diverse species, in which individuals vary in their traits, there is a better chance that some individuals will be resistant to new diseases, more tolerant of changing temperature, or better able to face other challenges of changing environment. Species with large populations and a wide geographic distribution are the most genetically diverse.
Genetic diversity is critically important to us. For example, there are only two species of cultivated rice, but we have bred over 120,000 genetically distinct varieties. Non domesticated species derive the same benefits from genetic diversity. A species spread out over a large area adapts genetically to a variety of different conditions. Some of these different forms may be able to thrive even if conditions change.
Habitat Diversity: The range of different types of natural homes or environments in which organisms live.
Our planet is home to many different habitats, including coral reefs, rain forests, prairies, marshes, and more. Since different species are adapted to live in different habitats, it makes sense that more types of habitats result in greater species richness overall (Green, Bozonne).
Productivity and Stability
Productivity and stability are two factors associated with ecosystem health. All living organisms require energy. Ultimately, an ecosystem's energy comes from sunlight, but sunlight must be converted into plant material before it can be used.
Productivity: An indicator of how effectively plants convert sunlight into food; measured by the weight of plant material produces in the ecosystem.
There are several reasons why biodiversity increases productivity. One reason s that a diverse collection of species can make more complete use of an ecosystem's resources. Ecosystems vary from place to place. Some areas are wetter, others have deeper soil or different concentrations of soil nutrients, some are shaded, and some are more protected from wind.
Another indicator of ecosystem health is stability. All ecosystems exist within a variable environment subject to distrurbace: weather changes, drought, and fire are example.
Stability: The ability of an ecosystem to resist environmental disturbance and return to its original configuration after them.
Productivity and stability are two factors associated with ecosystem health. All living organisms require energy. Ultimately, an ecosystem's energy comes from sunlight, but sunlight must be converted into plant material before it can be used.
Productivity: An indicator of how effectively plants convert sunlight into food; measured by the weight of plant material produces in the ecosystem.
There are several reasons why biodiversity increases productivity. One reason s that a diverse collection of species can make more complete use of an ecosystem's resources. Ecosystems vary from place to place. Some areas are wetter, others have deeper soil or different concentrations of soil nutrients, some are shaded, and some are more protected from wind.
Another indicator of ecosystem health is stability. All ecosystems exist within a variable environment subject to distrurbace: weather changes, drought, and fire are example.
Stability: The ability of an ecosystem to resist environmental disturbance and return to its original configuration after them.
- The overall health of an ecosystem depends on productivity and stability.
- The rivet hypothesis compares a healthy ecosystem with many species to an airplane with many rivets: a few rivets can be knocked out and the airplane can still fly, but if too many are lost, the plane will crash.
- If removal of a single species from an ecosystem causes its collapse, that species is the keystone species.
Conserving Biodiversity
- Educate people about long-term benefits of stable ecosystems.
- Enact economic policies that take advantage of those long-term benefits.
- Develop a cooperative approach among scientists, politicians, economists, conservation and religious organizations, and informed citizens.
- Reduce human population growth.
- Develop effective methods of conservation.