What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Biodiversity includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity

Key threats: habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation

Conservation strategies: protected areas, captive breeding, habitat corridors, and legislation

Ecosystem services: biodiversity supports food production, water purification, climate regulation, and medicine

Key Vocabulary

Biodiversity

The variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels

Invasive species

A species introduced to a new habitat that outcompetes native species

Habitat corridor

A strip of habitat connecting isolated patches, allowing species movement

Ecosystem services

Benefits provided to humans by functioning ecosystems

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

Which is the greatest current driver of biodiversity loss globally?

Habitat destruction from land clearing Volcanic eruptions Natural predation Seasonal climate variation

Question 2

What is the purpose of a habitat corridor in conservation?

To provide tourist access to national parks To connect isolated habitat patches so animals can move between them To contain invasive species in a single area To replace habitats destroyed by development

Question 3

Ecosystem services include:

Only the production of timber and fish Services provided by government environmental agencies Benefits such as water purification, pollination, and climate regulation provided by healthy ecosystems Only tourism and recreation in natural areas

Biodiversity Conservation