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Biodiversity Overview

Last updated Jun 28, 2023 Edit

# What is biodiversity?

Variety of organisms present in an area
Species: a group of organisms with a very similar appearance, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
Habitat: a place where an organism lives
Community: all the living organisms in a habitat

# Levels of Biodiversity

Habitat: number of habitats in an area
Species:
- Species Richness: number of species in an area
- Species Evenness: number of each species
Genetic Variety: variety of genes that make up a species (alleles)

# Why measure biodiversity?

Important for conservation
Required before a major project such as housing development

Habitat Feature	Low biodiversity	High Biodiversity
Number of species	few	many
Ability to adapt to environment	little	greater
Type of food webs	few links, each very important	many links, each with reduced importance
Effect of a change in environment	Catastrophic	Negligible