Environmental Science 1021F/G Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Background Extinction Rate, Elizabeth Kolbert, Ecosystem Services
11 Feb 2020
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Biological diversity refers to the number, variety and variability of earth"s organisms; it consists of three components. Genetic diversity: the level of genetic diversity within all populations of a species. Species richness: the number of different species present in a given ecological area. Ecosystem diversity: the number of different ecosystem types in a given area (region or entire planet) Biodiversity provides for three major benefits to humans. Genetic reserves & products: nature acts a reserve of countless genetic types. This diversity allows humans to access a variety of species capabilities for themselves or other species to make them more resilient. Ecosystem services & indirect benefits: a diverse ecological system operates in a fashion that many organisms allow others to survive or flourish (even humans). Healthy coastal ecosystems provide natural storm walls to water coming in, and filtration for water going out from populated areas.
