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 information contained in the genes of all the species. It also refers to the variation in genetic information between species as well as the variations between individuals of the same species.Example:

• Species diversity is the variety of species on Earth. It refers to both the number of species and the number of individuals within each species.Example:

• Ecosystem diversity is the variety of habitats, natural communities and ecological processes in the biosphere.Example• Cultural diversity is sometimes considered as a 4th component of biodiversity. Religion, language, art music contribute to this diversity.

Causes to biodiversity loss

Habitat destructionLand clearing, fires, floods, over grazing, salinity, pollution Introduced 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 Environment

Fewer 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 opportunities

Loss of biodiversityIncrease in endangered speciesIncrease greenhouse omissionsDecrease air quality Increase 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.