There are three levels of biodiversity: genetic diversity which refers to genetic variation within and between species; species diversity which refers to the variety of species and individuals within each species; and ecosystem diversity which refers to the variety of habitats and ecological processes. Loss of biodiversity is caused by habitat destruction, introduced species, overexploitation, pollution, climatic change, and industrial agriculture and forestry. Decreased natural environments can impact inspiration, recreation, education, tourism, biodiversity, endangered species, greenhouse gas emissions, air and water quality, soil health, food supply, and indigenous populations. Valuable resources for medicine, food, and economic benefit could also be lost.
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Levels of Biodiversity
1. Levels of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of all species, their genetic
information they contain and the ecosystems they
form.
There are three levels of biodiversity:
• Genetic diversity is the total genetic information
contained in the genes of all the species. It also refers
to the variation in genetic information between
species as well as the variations between individuals
of the same species.
Example:
• Species diversity is the variety of species on Earth.
It refers to both the number of species and the number
of individuals within each species.
Example:
• Ecosystem diversity is the variety of habitats,
natural communities and ecological processes in the
biosphere.
Example
2. Causes to biodiversity loss
Habitat destruction
Land clearing, fires, floods, over grazing, salinity, pollution
Introduced species
Competing against, eating native species, habitat modification
Overexploitation
Loss of habitat, population, more vulnerable to disease
Pollution (air, soil and water)
Killing species and altering ecosystems
Climatic change
Alter ecosystems and functions
Industrial agriculture and forestry
Farming practices reducing gene pool
3. Impact of decreased natural Environment
Fewer places to find inspiration
Fewer places to recreate
Fewer educational opportunities
- Lead to greater impact (more visitors to the
same location)
Decrease in tourism
- Therefore a decrease in economy
- Decreased employment opportunities
Loss of biodiversity
Increase in endangered species
Increase greenhouse omissions
Decrease air quality
Increase soil erosion, land degradation
Increase in salinity
Increase water pollution
Food shortages
Affect survival of indigenous
- Rely heavily on the environment for survival
Introduced species may relish the changes both
animal and plant
Could lose - new medicines
- new food sources
- economic value from these.