Biodiversity refers to all of the different organisms that live in an ecosystem. Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem stability, as the survival of living organisms depends on others.
Biodiversity refers to all of the different organisms that live in an ecosystem. Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem stability, as the survival of living organisms depends on others.
The environmental conditions of an ecosystem determine which species can survive. Environments with very harsh conditions, such as deserts and the Arctic, generally have low biodiversity. Environments with an abundance of resources and favorable conditions (such as mild temperature and plenty of water) can support high levels of biodiversity. A rain forest is an example of a very biodiverse ecosystem. Ecosystems that suffer a great loss of biodiversity can collapse. Many of our ecosystems today are losing biodiversity due to human activity.
The environmental conditions of an ecosystem determine which species can survive. Environments with very harsh conditions, such as deserts and the Arctic, generally have low biodiversity. Environments with an abundance of resources and favorable conditions (such as mild temperature and plenty of water) can support high levels of biodiversity. A rain forest is an example of a very biodiverse ecosystem. Ecosystems that suffer a great loss of biodiversity can collapse. Many of our ecosystems today are losing biodiversity due to human activity.
Biodiversity supports the needs of humans as well. It is from different species that we get building and clothing materials, sources of medicine, and ALL of our food. Did you know that about 40% of our medicines today come from plant extracts or compounds made by plants?! For example, aspirin comes from a bush! YUP. That's right. Biodiversity is important for the stability of our GLOBAL ecosystem- humans included!
Biodiversity supports the needs of humans as well. It is from different species that we get building and clothing materials, sources of medicine, and ALL of our food. Did you know that about 40% of our medicines today come from plant extracts or compounds made by plants?! For example, aspirin comes from a bush! YUP. That's right. Biodiversity is important for the stability of our GLOBAL ecosystem- humans included!