Biodiversity and Endemism

Biodiversity is the variety of life across all levels of biological organisation, including the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.
Scientists often emphasis the total number of species in an area to assess biodiversity, but it also includes the genetic diversity within species (i.e. genetic diversity) and the diversity of ecosystems.
Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and promotes productivity.
Major factors threatening global biodiversity are habitat destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, invasive species and climate change.

Genetic diversity refers to the variation in genes that exists within a species.
Greater genetic diversity within a population can lead to greater survival and adaptability in changing environments.
Genetic diversity is often measured by looking at variations in the DNA sequences between individuals.

Species diversity involves the number and distribution of species in an ecosystem or across the whole planet.
A region which has a high number of species (species richness) and a mixture of species (evenness) has a high species diversity.

Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats present in the biosphere.
Elements include variation in the ecosystems found in a region or the mosaic of patches, corridors, and matrix that form landscapes.
Greater ecosystem diversity gives rise to a greater variety of genes and species.

Endemism refers to species that are only found in a particular area and nowhere else in the world.
The concept is important in conservation, as these species may be at risk of extinction if their habitat is lost.
Factors promoting endemism include isolated locations, unique habitats, specific soil types, and harsh climates.
Examples of areas with high endemism include Madagascar, the Galapagos Islands, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Biodiversity has ecological, economic, and intrinsic value. It influences climate regulation, water purification, prevention of soil erosion, and contribution to human health and livelihood.
High biodiversity levels ensure the availability of a rich variety of genetic material that may lead to future agricultural or medical discoveries with significant benefits to humanity.
Some believe that each species and organism has an intrinsic value, in and of itself, regardless of its potential usefulness or detriment to human beings.