Biological diversity (biodiversity) describes the variation seen in living organisms at all levels of biological organisation

• Biodiversity is vital for the integrity of ecosystems – the greater the biodiversity the more stable and resistant to change an ecosystem will be
  

There are three forms of biodiversity that work together to create the complexity of life that is seen on Earth:

• Genetic Diversity – The variety of genes and characteristics that are present within a population of a species

  • Genetic diversity is increased by mutations or sexual reproduction and is decreased by natural selection and genetic drift
    

• Species Diversity – The range of different species that are found within a particular habitat or ecosystem

  • Species diversity is measured in terms of species richness (number of different species) and species evenness (number of individuals in a species)
    

• Ecosystem Diversity – The variety of habitat types or ecological niches within a given area of land or water

  • Ecosystems can be categorised according to the specific climate, vegetation and animal life within the region (biome)
    

Types of Biodiversity