Biodiversity
The variety of life: the number of species, the genetic variety within them and the variety of ecosystems. Higher diversity tends to make ecosystems more stable. Main threats are habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, over-harvesting and climate change.
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Analogy
A diversified investment portfolio: more resilient to shocks.
In practice
Cutting a rainforest destroys habitat for thousands of species, many found nowhere else.
Practice
Flashcards
- Name three threats to biodiversity.Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, over-harvesting or climate change.
Interview questions
- Discuss the main threats to biodiversity and one strategy for conservation.
- Habitat loss
- Invasive species, pollution, over-harvesting, climate change
- Protected areas or corridors
- Genetic diversity and stability
Questions people ask
Which ecosystem services depend on biodiversity?
Diverse ecosystems tend to be more stable and productive. They provide services people rely on, including pollination, clean water, soil formation and flood protection. Species are also sources of food, medicine and materials, and many people believe they have value in their own right.
What is a keystone species?
A keystone species has an effect on its ecosystem far larger than its numbers suggest. Remove it and the community changes dramatically. Sea otters, which eat sea urchins, protect kelp forests. Without otters, urchins overgraze the kelp and the habitat disappears.