What term refers to the variety of living species in an environment?

What term refers to the variety of living species in an environment?

• A. Biodiversity
• B. Habitat
• C. Ecosystem
• D. Population

Answer: (A)

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species in an environment, including the number of species, how evenly individuals are distributed among them, and the genetic diversity within and between species. This breadth is what makes biodiversity the best fit because it specifically describes the diversity of life, not just where it lives (habitat), the interactions within a community (ecosystem), or a single species group (population). Habitat is the physical environment; an ecosystem is the living community plus its surroundings; a population is the members of one species in a given area. So biodiversity captures the full variety of life in that environment.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species in an environment, including the number of species, how evenly individuals are distributed among them, and the genetic diversity within and between species. This breadth is what makes biodiversity the best fit because it specifically describes the diversity of life, not just where it lives (habitat), the interactions within a community (ecosystem), or a single species group (population). Habitat is the physical environment; an ecosystem is the living community plus its surroundings; a population is the members of one species in a given area. So biodiversity captures the full variety of life in that environment.