Chapter 5.1, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of the terms extinction, biodiversity, genetic diversity, species diversity, ecosystem diversity.

Explanation of Solution

Extinction: Extinction is defined as the complete disappearance of an animal or a plant in the entire world. The extinction of an organism is confirmed by the death of the last known individual of that species. It is generally a natural evolutionary process, but sometimes it may happen at an unusual faster rate due to extreme climate change.

Biodiversity: It is defined as a variety of flora and fauna present in a particular habitat or region. It is always desirable to have greater biodiversity.

Genetic Diversity: It is the difference in the genetic characteristics or the genetic makeup of a species. It is described by the number of different alleles of a gene in a population. A high level of genetic diversity helps an organism to adapt better in a changing environment.

Species Diversity: It is defined as the relative abundance of the different numbers of species in a particular ecosystem.

Ecosystem diversity: It is the variation of different types of ecosystems present in a region. It addresses the difference in the unique compositions of the biotic and abiotic components of a particular region.