Introduction to Biodiversity

• what is biodiversity?

  the variety of life - the range of living organisms that can be found in an area
• what are species?

  a group of individuals whose members are able to interbreed freely to produce fertile offspring, similar in:

  • appearance
  • anatomy
  • physiology
  • genetics
  • biochemistry
• what is a habitat?

  the place where an organism lives
• what is an ecosystem?

  all the living organisms and non-living components in a specific area and their interactions
• how is biodiversity affected by climate?

  the more extreme the climate - the lower the diversity (since its harder for life to adapt)
• how is biodiversity affected by latitude?

  the further from the equator, generally the lower the biodiversity ad the climate is less stable/more extreme
• what is species diversity?

  divided into:

  • species richness = number of different species living in a particular area
  • species evenness =a comparison of the number of individuals of each species
  • there is structural/functional differences
  • area could differ in species diversity even if it has the same number of species
• what is genetic diversity?

  • refers to the variety of genes that make up a species
  • leads to genetic diversity
  • greater genetic diversity within a species allows for better adaptation to a changing environment, and is more likely to result in individuals who are resistant to disease
• why is biodiversity important?

  • interdependence - species connected through food chains so rely on each other
  • fungi/bacteria help decompose dead organic matter
  • humans rely on species as a source of food, building materials or drugs