It is the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of all living things
Biodiversity
Scientists have identified more than 1.4 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown
A group of morphologically similar creatures which can:
Interbreed to produce fertile offspring and are ‘reproductivelyisolated’
e.g. T. rex
extinct creatures
e.g. bacteria
Creatures who breed asexually
e.g. Man x Chimp
Creatures who can’t be tested ethically
Creatures who are related through PHYLOGENY
Similar DNA
Similar structure
Similar embryology
Humans share 98-99%of their DNA with Chimps. They are our closest living relatives.
The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate. Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.
(5) Threats to biodiversity
Habitat destruction, Pollution, Species Introductions, Global Climate Change, and Exploitation
