Biodiversity

Biodiversity maintains a healthy biosphere and provides direct and indirect value to humans. Biologists conduct research in various environments to determine the health of the ecosystem. 
What is Biodiversity?
The loss of an entire species is not an imaginary situation. Entire species permanently disappear from the biosphere when the last member of the species dies in a process called extinction. As species become extinct, the variety of species in the biosphere decreases, which decreases the health of the biosphere. Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of species in that area. 
Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere. There are 3 types of biodiversity to consider: genetic, species, & ecosystem. 

Genetic Diversity
The variety of genes or inheritable characteristics that are present in a population comprises its genetic diversity. Genetic diversity within interbreeding populations increases the chances that some individuals will survive during changing environmental conditions or during outbreaks of disease. 

Species Diversity
The number of different species and the relative abundance of each species in a biological community is called species diversity. Species diversity, however, is not evenly distributed over the biosphere. As you move geographically from the polar regions to the equator, species diversity increases. 

Ecosystem Diversity
The variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere is called ecosystem diversity. An ecosystem is made up of interacting populations and the abiotic factors that support them. The interactions of organisms affect the development of stable ecosystems. 

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The variety of different habitats/ecosystems on our biosphere
The variety of life in a area that is determined by the number of different species
The number and abundance of species in a biological community
The variety of inheritable characteristics that are present in a population

Species Diversity
Genetic Diversity
Ecosystem Diversity
Biodiversity

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Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and stability.

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Human activities have no impact on biodiversity.

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Genetic biodiversity is important for the adaptation and survival of species.

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Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and stability.

Human activities have no impact on biodiversity.

Genetic biodiversity is important for the adaptation and survival of species.

Why is species biodiversity important for ecosystems?