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What is biodiversity?

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Quick answer

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things — the range of species, the genetic differences within them, and the ecosystems they form. High biodiversity keeps nature resilient and supports the food, water, and air we depend on. It spans three levels: genes, species, and ecosystems.

Key things to understand

  1. It spans three levels: genes, species, and ecosystems.
  2. Diverse ecosystems are more stable and resilient to shocks.
  3. It provides food, medicine, clean water, and climate regulation.
  4. Human activity (habitat loss, climate change) is reducing it fast.

People also ask

Why is biodiversity important?
It keeps ecosystems resilient and provides essentials like food, clean water, medicine, and climate stability.
What threatens biodiversity?
Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overexploitation, and invasive species.
What are the levels of biodiversity?
Genetic (within species), species (variety of species), and ecosystem (variety of habitats).

Part of the guide: Nature & Earth: Living Things and Rocks →