Question

1. Distinguish among genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Answer 1

Biodiversity refers to sum total of all variety and variability of life in a defined area.

Three most important kinds of diversities include genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity

Genetic diversity

• It defines as the Variation of genes within a species( differences could be in allele, in an entire gene or in chromosomal structures).
• It enables the population to adapt to its environment and respond to natural selection.
• The amount of genetic variation is the major cause of speciation.
• For example, in India, there are more than 50000 genetically different varieties of rice.

Species diversity

• It refers to the variety of species within a region.
• It measures by species richness( number of species per unit area).
• Greater species richness, the greater is the species diversity.
• For example, tropical forests contain half of the world species, 30 % of total bird species are present in tropical forests.

Ecosystem diversity

• The variety of different ecosystems within area or diversity at ecosystem level.
• It describes the number of niches, trophic levels and various ecological process that that sustain energy flow, food webs and the recycling of nutrients.
• For Example, India has deserts , rainforests, mangroves , coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries and alpine meadows.