Biodiversity is a term used đồ sộ describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically đồ sộ refer đồ sộ all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers đồ sộ every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. However, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described ví far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery.
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Over generations, all of the species that are currently alive today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. These differences are what scientists use đồ sộ tell one species from another. Organisms that have evolved đồ sộ be ví different from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species.
Scientists are interested in how much biodiversity there is on a global scale, given that there is still ví much biodiversity đồ sộ discover. They also study how many species exist in single ecosystems, such as a forest, grassland, tundra, or lake. A single grassland can contain a wide range of species, from beetles đồ sộ snakes đồ sộ antelopes. Ecosystems that host the most biodiversity tend đồ sộ have ideal environmental conditions for plant growth, lượt thích the warm and wet climate of tropical regions. Ecosystems can also contain species too small đồ sộ see with the naked eye. Looking at samples of soil or water through a microscope reveals a whole world of bacteria and other tiny organisms.
Some areas in the world, such as areas of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United States, and Madagascar, have more biodiversity phàn nàn others. Areas with extremely high levels of biodiversity are called hotspots. Endemic species—species that are only found in one particular location—are also found in hotspots.
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All of the Earth’s species work together đồ sộ survive and maintain their ecosystems. For example, the grass in pastures feeds cattle. Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients đồ sộ the soil, which helps đồ sộ grow more grass. This manure can also be used đồ sộ fertilize cropland. Many species provide important benefits đồ sộ humans, including food, clothing, and medicine.
Much of the Earth’s biodiversity, however, is in jeopardy due đồ sộ human consumption and other activities that disturb and even destroy ecosystems. Pollution, climate change, and population growth are all threats đồ sộ biodiversity. These threats have caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of species extinction. Some scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. Conservation efforts are necessary đồ sộ preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.
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