Levels of BiodiversityBiodiversity is the variety of all species, their genetic information they contain and the ecosystems they form.There are three levels of biodiversity:• Genetic diversity is the total genetic informationcontained in the genes of all the species. It also refersto the variation in genetic information betweenspecies as well as the variations between individualsof the same species.Example:• Species diversity is the variety of species on Earth.It refers to both the number of species and the numberof individuals within each species.Example:• Ecosystem diversity is the variety of habitats,natural communities and ecological processes in thebiosphere.Example• Cultural diversity is sometimes considered as a 4thcomponent of biodiversity. Religion, language, artmusic contribute to this diversity.
Causes to biodiversity lossHabitat destructionLand clearing, fires, floods, over grazing, salinity, pollutionIntroduced speciesCompeting against, eating native species, habitat modificationOverexploitationLoss of habitat, population, more vulnerable to diseasePollution (air, soil and water)Killing species and altering ecosystemsClimatic changeAlter ecosystems and functionsIndustrial agriculture and forestryFarming practices reducing gene pool
Impact of decreased natural EnvironmentFewer places to find inspirationFewer places to recreateFewer educational opportunities - Lead to greater impact (more visitors to the same location)Decrease in tourism - Therefore a decrease in economy - Decreased employment opportunitiesLoss of biodiversityIncrease in endangered speciesIncrease greenhouse omissionsDecrease air qualityIncrease soil erosion, land degradationIncrease in salinityIncrease water pollutionFood shortagesAffect survival of indigenous - Rely heavily on the environment for survivalIntroduced species may relish the changes both animal and plantCould lose - new medicines - new food sources - economic value from these.