Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms, including the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems (CBD, 2005). It encompasses the variation within species, between species, and among ecosystems, and can be assessed at different spatial scales, from local habitats to the biosphere.
Components of Biodiversity
Biodiversity consists of three main components:
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity refers to the variation in genetic information within and among populations of a species. It is important for adaptation, survival, and long-term population viability.
Organismal complexity (species diversity)
Species diversity refers to the variety of species in a community and is determined by two components: species richness (number of species) and species evenness (distribution of individuals among species).
Ecological diversity
Ecological diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems, habitats, communities, and ecological processes within a landscape or region. It is often assessed using measures of species richness and abundance.
(McNeely et al., 1990; Gaston and Spicer, 2004).