Three types of biodiversity

There are three aspects to biodiversity: species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity. All three interact and change over time and from place to place.

Species diversity refers to the variety of different living things.

Genetic diversity refers to the variations between individuals of a species — characteristics passed down from parents to their offspring.

Ecosystem diversity refers to the great variety of environments produced by the interplay of the living (animals and plants) and non-living world (earth forms, soil, rocks and water).

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