What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity, which is short for "biological diversity," refers to the mixture of organisms on Earth. The levels of diversity range from ecosystems and populations down to differences in DNA and genes between different species. Biodiversity is broken down into several parts; genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic diversity refers to differences in genes within a species. Think about your family, everyone came from the same set of genes yet no two people are alike. Species diversity refers to the different species in a certain ecosystem. There are different types of species within all of the different kinds of plants and animals, including fungi, insects mammals, amphibians, plants, bacteria, and all the other flora and fauna. Ecosystem diversity refers to the different climates, or biomes, that exist here on earth. Earths different kinds of biodiversity are what make everything run smoothly. It helps to keep our water and air clean, has a hand in regulating the climate, and provides us (and all other organisms) with shelter, medicine, food, and many other useful goods.

Biodiversity is responsible for keeping the environment healthy and although it may not seem like it, we need every species we can get. When an area is biologically diverse we know that the surrounding area is probably cleaner and more stable than an area where biodiversity is limited. Biodiversity helps transfer energy from the sun's rays and into plants to be distributed throughout different food webs. Another way we benefit is the many ways it works with carbon. Carbon, which is essential for life is stored, released, and captured by lakes and trees and our atmosphere. Carbon isn't the only nutrient that benefits from a biologically diverse planet. Phosphorus and nitrogen are also cycled through the air, soil, and water; as well as through living organisms. Plants and animals remove these nutrients from the air and water and in turn leave it cleaner than it began. It's the perfect example of leaving something cleaner than you found it.