What is biodiversity? Name the three levels it includes.
Biodiversity is the variety of all living things and includes diversity in genetics, species and ecosystems.
Why is genetic diversity important for a species’s survival in a changing environment?
Genetic diversity allows a species to adapt to environmental changes. Populations with more genetic variation are more likely to survive, while those with low diversity are at higher risk of extinction.
Distinguish between a species and a population.
A species is a group that shares similar genetic material and can produce fertile offspring. A population refers to a group of one species living in a particular time and place.
Distinguish between a community and an ecosystem.
A community is the interaction between different species in the same ecosystem. An ecosystem is made up of both biotic and abiotic factors.
Give an example of species diversity and ecosystem diversity.
Species diversity refers to the variety of different species in a particular area, such as jaguars, parrots, frogs, and orchids in a rainforest. Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems in a region, including both living and non-living components, such as deserts, coral reefs, tropical rainforests, and wetlands in Australia.
Explain why ecosystems with higher biodiversity are more stable.
Ecosystems with higher biodiversity are more stable because multiple species can perform similar roles. If one species declines, others can fill its role, maintaining energy flow, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem function.
