Types of biodiversity

Question 1

What is structural diversity?

Answer 1

A type of biological diversity that is shown in the variety of structural forms in living things from internal cell structure to body morphology

Question 2

What is species diversity?

Answer 2

The variety and abundance of species in a given area

Question 3

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 3

The variety of inheritable characteristics (genes) in a population of interbreeding individuals

Question 4

What is ecosystem diversity?

Answer 4

The variety of ecosystems in the biosphere

Question 5

How is species diversity helpful?

Answer 5

Ecosystems with greater species diversity, exhibit resilience; the ability to remain functional and stable in the presence of disturbances

Question 6

How is genetic diversity helpful?

Answer 6

Populations that lack genetic diversity are more susceptible to disease, and are less likely to be able to adapt to changes in the environment, which can lead to extinction. Reintroducing genetic diversity into struggling populations may increase the chance for the species to rebound an increase in size.

Question 7

How is ecosystem diversity helpful?

Answer 7

Different ecosystems provide ecosystem services; benefits experienced by organisms. For example, wetlands store, water, reducing floods in purifying water by filtering pollutants, providing habitat for commercially important species.