Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the many different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms living in different habitats.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Biodiversity means the variety of living things in an area or on Earth as a whole
High biodiversity makes ecosystems more stable and resilient to change
Australia is a biodiversity hotspot — many of its species are found nowhere else on Earth (endemic species)
Threats to biodiversity include habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change
Key Vocabulary
Biodiversity
The variety of living organisms (species) found in a particular area or on Earth
Species
A group of organisms that share common characteristics and can reproduce together
Endemic species
A species found only in a specific region and nowhere else in the world
Habitat loss
The destruction or degradation of natural environments, reducing the space and resources available for species
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
What does biodiversity mean?
Question 2
An endemic species is:
Question 3
Which of these is a major threat to biodiversity?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Biodiversity means the variety of living things in an area or on Earth as a whole
- ●High biodiversity makes ecosystems more stable and resilient to change
- ●Australia is a biodiversity hotspot — many of its species are found nowhere else on Earth (endemic species)
- ●Threats to biodiversity include habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change