Biodiversity

3 Types of Biodiversity

The variety of life on earth

  1. Genetic Diversity - Variety of genes and traits available within a species.

  2. Species Diversity - Variety of species within an ecosystem.

  3. Ecosystem Diversity - Variety of ecosystem and habitat types in an area of land and water.

Define:

  1. Biodiversity - The number of and variety of species and ecosystems on earth.

  2. Species - all organisms capable of breeding freely with each other under natural conditions.

  3. Hybridization - The crossbreeding of two different species.

  4. Morphology - The physical appearance and characteristics of an organism; also, the science of the study of these physical characteristics.

  5. Evolutionary change - A change that occurs in an entire population; usually occurs over a long period of time.

  6. Genetic diversity - The genetic variability among organisms, usually referring to individuals of the same species.

  7. Species diversity - A measure of diversity that takes into account. The quantity of each species present, as well as the vanity of different species present.

  8. Structural diversity (aka environmental diversity) - The range of physical shapes and sizes within a habitat or ecosystem.

Species Interactions

Interaction

Description and Example

Food supply

Complex relationships exist between species and their food. Ex. Bone worms food on whale bones.

Protection

Many species depend on others for shelter and protection. Ex. Ants live in Cecropia trees.

Transportation

Many species move from place to place with the help of other species. Ex. Seeds with hooks “burrs”

Reproduction

Many species depend on other for successful reproduction. Ex. Tree cavities made by birds for nests woodpeckers.

Hygiene

Some species help maintain the health of another species. Ex. Small fish and shrimp remove parasites from big fish.

Digestion

Species living within digestive tracts are essential for the digestion of food. Ex. Bacteria in human intestines.