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Biology-Related Homework Help Environmental and Conservation Biology Topic started by: ratliff_t on May 19, 2013



Title: What is species diversity and why is it important to maintain species diversity?
Post by: ratliff_t on May 19, 2013
What is species diversity and why is it important to maintain species diversity?


Title: What is species diversity and why is it important to maintain species diversity?
Post by: darlliingohhx on May 19, 2013
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Title: What is species diversity and why is it important to maintain species diversity?
Post by: darm on May 19, 2013
Species diversity is variety of life forms on earth. It depends both on the species richness (i.e. how many different types of species live there) and also on the number of each different species.

Importance: Ecosystem Efficiency
A study from the University of Maryland suggests that by increasing species diversity in an ecosystem, both the efficiency and the productivity of an ecosystem will increase. The study "increased the [species] richness...such that the feeding success of individuals [was] enhanced." A greater species richness and diversity may cause ecosystems to function more efficiently and productively by making more resources available for other species within the ecosystem.