Biodiversity is the variation that exists within a group
and can be generalized to a population, ecosystem or the biosphere. Biodiversity is not
consistent across the globe and it is dependent on genetic
variation.
Think of the different types of biomes that
exist (desert, tundra, tropical to name a few) and think of the types of organisms that
live in these environments. Each environment hosts its own biodiversity and as you
expand to the entire earth the diversity increases. The organisms best suited to live
in each environment are able to survive and reproduce; increased ecological variation
leads to increased biological diversity. As humans continue to destroy various
environments biodiversity is lost.
Genetic variation leads
to new adaptations and creates differences within a species and creates new species.
Genetic variation is a result of sexual reproduction. Without sexual reproduction DNA
would not be "mixed up" and therefore would not lead to differences with in species,
natural selection and evolution which in turn would not develop a world rich in
biodiversity.
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