Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around viii.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. Notwithstanding, only effectually ane.two million species have been identified and described then far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a consummate mystery.

Over generations, all of the species that are currently live today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. These differences are what scientists employ to tell one species from another. Organisms that have evolved to be so dissimilar from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species.

Scientists are interested in how much biodiversity there is on a global scale, given that there is notwithstanding and then much biodiversity to discover. They likewise study how many species exist in unmarried ecosystems, such equally a forest, grassland, tundra, or lake. A unmarried grassland tin comprise a wide range of species, from beetles to snakes to antelopes. Ecosystems that host the nearly biodiversity tend to have ideal environmental weather for plant growth, like the warm and wet climate of tropical regions. Ecosystems can also contain species as well small-scale to see with the naked eye. Looking at samples of soil or water through a microscope reveals a whole globe of leaner and other tiny organisms.

Some areas in the world, such as areas of United mexican states, South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United States, and Madagascar, have more than biodiversity than others. Areas with extremely high levels of biodiversity are called hotspots. Endemic species—species that are but institute in i particular location—are also establish in hotspots.

All of the World's species work together to survive and maintain their ecosystems. For example, the grass in pastures feeds cattle. Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients to the soil, which helps to abound more than grass. This manure tin too exist used to fertilize cropland. Many species provide of import benefits to humans, including food, wearable, and medicine.

Much of the Earth's biodiversity, however, is in jeopardy due to human consumption and other activities that disturb and even destroy ecosystems. Pollution, climatic change, and population growth are all threats to biodiversity. These threats have caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of species extinction. Some scientists judge that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.

Biodiversity

Although all of these insects have a like structure and may be genetic cousins, the beautiful variety of colors, shapes, camouflage, and sizes showcase the level of diversity possible even within a closely-related group of species.

Noun

all the different kinds of living organisms within a given area.

Noun

part of the Earth where life exists.

Substantive

direction of a natural resource to preclude exploitation, devastation, or neglect.

consumption

Substantive

process of using goods and services.

multifariousness

Noun

difference.

Noun

customs and interactions of living and nonliving things in an area.

ecosystem diversity

Noun

number of ecosystems present in a specific area.

Noun

organism threatened with extinction.

endemic

Adjective

native to a specific geographic space.

evolution

Noun

change in heritable traits of a population over fourth dimension.

Noun

process of complete disappearance of a species from World.

fertilize

Verb

to make productive or fertile.

generation

Noun

fourth dimension between an organism'due south nascence and the time information technology reproduces.

genetic diversity

Noun

difference or variety of units of inheritance (genes) in a species.

hotspot

Substantive

surface area that contains a pregnant level of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.

naturalist

Noun

person who studies the natural history or natural development of organisms and the environment.

Noun

process by which organisms that are better -adapted to their environments produce more offspring to transmit their genetic characteristics.

offspring

Noun

the children of a person or beast.

organism

Substantive

living or one time-living thing.

Noun

introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

reproduce

Verb

to create offspring, past sexual or asexual means.

Noun

group of like organisms that can reproduce with each other.

Noun

grouping of similar organisms that can reproduce with each other.

species diversity

Noun

formula that calculates the total number of specific species in an expanse compared with the number of all species.

trait

Noun

feature or aspect.

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    Tyson Brownish, National Geographic Society

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    National Geographic Lodge

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    Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society
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    Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Gild
    Margot Willis, National Geographic Guild

    Last Updated

    Aug. 23, 2019

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