FACTORS THAT MAINTAIN BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity provides a wide range of ecological services, including pollination, nutrient cycling,
and pest control, which are important for the health and productivity of ecosystems.
Furthermore, it offers lots of genetic resources that can be harnessed for medicine, agriculture,
and countless other human needs, making it a cornerstone for sustainable living on Earth. Below
are the factors that help maintain biodiversity across a range of ecosystems:
1. Complexity of the Ecosystem: Biodiversity is maintained in ecosystems that have a wide
variety of species, each with its own unique role. The interactions between these species
create a complex web of relationships, which is important for biodiversity. When species
interact in various ways, such as by providing food, shelter, or pollination to one another,
it ensures the ecosystem's stability and diversity.
2. Stage of Succession: Ecosystems go through a natural process of change known as
ecological succession. This process starts with pioneer species and gradually progresses
to more complex communities. Maintaining biodiversity involves preserving ecosystems
at different stages of this process. Each stage provides a habitat for a distinct set of species,
contributing to overall biodiversity.
3. Limiting Factors: Biodiversity is influenced by factors like availability of resources (food,
water, and habitat). These factors, known as limiting factors, determine the number and
types of species that can thrive in an ecosystem. By ensuring that these resources are
sufficient and balanced, we can support a greater variety of species within an ecosystem.
4. Inertia: Ecosystems have a natural tendency to resist sudden changes. This resistance to
change, or inertia, helps maintain biodiversity by preventing rapid, disruptive alterations
to the ecosystem. When ecosystems change gradually, it allows species to adapt and
coexist, contributing to the overall biodiversity.
Answer the following questions below using the text from above and your own research:
1. What is biodiversity, and why is it important for the environment?
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2. How does the complexity of an ecosystem contribute to biodiversity?
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3. Can you explain the concept of ecological succession and its role in maintaining
biodiversity?
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4. What are limiting factors in an ecosystem, and how do they influence biodiversity?
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5. Why is the preservation of different stages of succession important for biodiversity?
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6. How can human activities, such as deforestation and pollution, affect biodiversity
negatively?
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7. What are some positive actions individuals and communities can take to conserve
biodiversity?
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8. Why is genetic diversity within species important for the long-term survival of those
species?
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9. How does biodiversity relate to the balance of ecosystems and their resilience to
environmental changes?
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10. What are the potential consequences of a loss of biodiversity for both ecosystems and
human society?
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