Everyday Science · 45 sec
Biodiversity
The science behind something you encounter, use, or wonder about.
The useful idea
- Variation of life
Biodiversity is the variability of life on Earth.
- Genes to ecosystems
It can be measured on various levels, for example, genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and phylogenetic diversity.
- Diversity spans taxa
There are latitudinal gradients in species diversity for both marine and terrestrial taxa.
Why this matters
Look for Biodiversity the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Biodiversity the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Biodiversity?
- Variation of life — correct
- Genes to ecosystems
- Diversity spans taxa
Biodiversity is the variability of life on Earth.