Biodiversity

Summary

Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels.

Core concept

Understand the system

Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels.

Why / how it happens

Causes and context

Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels. The governing relationship is: Evolution, habitat diversity, isolation, disturbance and human pressure shape biodiversity across space and time.

Mechanism / process

Evolution, habitat diversity, isolation, disturbance and human pressure shape biodiversity across space and time.

Key facts

• Genetic diversity supports adaptation within species.
• Species richness counts species; evenness describes relative abundance.
• Habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution and climate change are major threats.

Important terminology

• species richness
• genetic diversity
• endemism
• invasive species
• ecosystem diversity

Named examples / case studies

• The Sundarbans supports specialized mangrove species and wildlife adapted to saline tidal conditions.

Causes / components

• Key components: species richness, genetic diversity, endemism.
• Evolution, habitat diversity, isolation, disturbance and human pressure shape biodiversity across space and time.

Effects / significance

• Species richness counts species; evenness describes relative abundance.
• Habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution and climate change are major threats.
• Application: The Sundarbans supports specialized mangrove species and wildlife adapted to saline tidal conditions.

Geography connection

The Sundarbans supports specialized mangrove species and wildlife adapted to saline tidal conditions. This illustrates how biodiversity varies by location, scale or environmental context.

Bangladesh connection

Bangladesh's mangroves, wetlands, hill forests and coastal habitats hold biodiversity under pressure from conversion, pollution and climate stress.

BCS preliminary facts

• Genetic diversity supports adaptation within species.
• Species richness counts species; evenness describes relative abundance.
• Habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution and climate change are major threats.

BCS written analysis

Build an analytical answer

• Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels.
• Evolution, habitat diversity, isolation, disturbance and human pressure shape biodiversity across space and time. Use the sundarbans supports specialized mangrove species and wildlife adapted to saline tidal conditions. as a named application in a comparative answer.

Common misconceptions

• Biodiversity is broader than the number of species.
• An exotic species is not automatically invasive; invasion requires harmful establishment and spread.

Quick revision

• Biodiversity
• Genetic diversity supports adaptation within species.
• Species richness counts species; evenness describes relative abundance.
• species richness / genetic diversity
• Definition → process → spatial example