Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment estimated that these services contribute billions of dollars to the global economy each year.

Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a given area. Tropical rainforests often exhibit the highest species richness, with some sites harboring over 3,000 plant species.

Conservation biology is the scientific discipline focused on protecting biodiversity and preventing species extinctions. It employs strategies such as protected areas, captive breeding, and habitat restoration.

Charles Darwin was a 19th‑century naturalist who formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection. His observations of variation among species laid the conceptual foundation for modern biodiversity science.

Genetic diversity is the variation in DNA among individuals within a species. High genetic diversity improves a population’s ability to adapt to environmental changes, as seen in the resilience of the African elephant.

Habitat loss is the primary driver of global biodiversity decline, caused by activities such as deforestation and urban expansion. Between 1970 and 2015, an estimated 30 % of forested land was lost worldwide.

A biodiversity hotspot is a region with exceptionally high species richness and a high proportion of endemic species that is under severe threat. The Western Ghats in India, for example, hosts over 7,000 plant species, many of which are found nowhere else.

Environment & Ecology

Biodiversity

Variety and variability of life forms

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Overview

Biodiversity is the variability of life on Earth. It can be measured on various levels, for example, genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and phylogenetic diversity. Diversity is not distributed evenly on Earth — it is greater in the tropics as a result of the warm climate and high primary productivity in the region near the equator. Tropical forest ecosystems cover less than one-fifth of Earth's terrestrial area and contain about 50% of the world's species. There are latitudinal gradients in species diversity for both marine and terrestrial taxa.

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Key concepts

How Biodiversity connects to the ideas, people and events around it.

Ecosystem service
supports
Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment estimated that these services contribute billions of dollars to the global economy each year.
Species richness
includes
Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a given area. Tropical rainforests often exhibit the highest species richness, with some sites harboring over 3,000 plant species.
Conservation biology
studied by
Conservation biology is the scientific discipline focused on protecting biodiversity and preventing species extinctions. It employs strategies such as protected areas, captive breeding, and habitat restoration.
Charles Darwin
explained by
Charles Darwin was a 19th‑century naturalist who formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection. His observations of variation among species laid the conceptual foundation for modern biodiversity science.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
assessed in
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) was a United Nations‑sponsored study evaluating the state of the world’s ecosystems. It highlighted the rapid loss of biodiversity and its impact on human well‑being.
Genetic diversity
contains
Genetic diversity is the variation in DNA among individuals within a species. High genetic diversity improves a population’s ability to adapt to environmental changes, as seen in the resilience of the African elephant.
Habitat destruction
threatened by
Habitat loss is the primary driver of global biodiversity decline, caused by activities such as deforestation and urban expansion. Between 1970 and 2015, an estimated 30 % of forested land was lost worldwide.
Biodiversity hotspot
found in
A biodiversity hotspot is a region with exceptionally high species richness and a high proportion of endemic species that is under severe threat. The Western Ghats in India, for example, hosts over 7,000 plant species, many of which are found nowhere else.

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What is Biodiversity?

What are the key concepts related to Biodiversity?

The main concepts connected to Biodiversity include Ecosystem service, Species richness, Conservation biology, Charles Darwin, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Genetic diversity, Habitat destruction, Biodiversity hotspot. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.

Which exams cover Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is part of Environment & Ecology, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC GD and 43 more exams.