Biodiversity and interdependence
Areas like tropical rainforests have millions of different speciesA type of organism that is the basic unit of classification. Individuals of different species are not able to interbreed successfully. and are very biodiverseThe range of animals and plants in a given area.. Other areas like the Polar Regions have far fewer species and are less biodiverse.
Biodiversity is specifically the number of different species. An area with large populationAll of the members of a single species that live within a geographical area. of few species is not biodiverse.
Interdependence
If the numbers of one species are affected, there are almost always knock-on consequences. A simple food chainA sequence (usually shown as a diagram) of feeding relationships between organisms, showing which organisms eat what and the movement of energy through trophic levels. is:
algae → zooplankton → sand eel → puffin → arctic skua
If the numbers of zooplankton are reduced by pollution, such as plastic waste, then more algae will grow and the population of other consumers will fall.
ecosystemThe living organisms in a particular area, together with the non-living components of the environment. with higher biodiversity have fewer species that depend on just one other for food, shelter and maintaining their environment. With the example above, puffins could also eat molluscs and worms. Ecosystems with higher biodiversity are more stable as they can easily adjust to changes.
We are slowly realising that the future of our species on Earth depends on maintaining high biodiversity. Activities that create air and water pollution, are reducing biodiversity in many ecosystems. conservationWhere no energy is lost. If 10J of potential energy is conserved by a falling object, the object's kinetic energy will be 10J when landing. of species and habitats by charities, governments and individuals helps to maintain the range of biodiversity.