eye color, hair

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Biodiversity in
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texture, and height. The variety of genes or

inherited traits that
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Ecosystems Benefits of are present in a population make up its genetic

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diversity.
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Biodiversity
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There is also diversity among the species that live

in an
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What do you think? Read the two statements b t

decide whether you agree or disagree with them

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the Before column if you agree with the statemenecological community. The number of different
disagree. After you’ve read this lesson, reread thespecies and the
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see if you have changed your mind. s

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Before Statement
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quantity of each species in an ecological community

Humans benefit from biodiversity. is called
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Biodiversity cannot be measured. i

species diversity.
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What is biodiversity?
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The rain forests of Madagascar are some of the Another type of biodiversity is diversity among
most ecosystems.
biodiverse places on Earth. Many kinds of plants
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and animals live there. But what exactly is d

biodiversity? The variety of ecosystems in the biosphere is called

Biodiversity is the number and variety of living ecosystem
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things found is a specific region, such as a small

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pond, a grassy field, a desert, or all of Earth. What w

diversity. Different ecosystems have different

is the biodiversity of Earth? So far, scientists
abiotic factors.
have identified about 2 million species. A species a

is a group of organisms that have similar traits and G

are able to produce fertile offspring. The graph on They support different kinds of living things.
the next page shows the variety of living things
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Types of Biodiversity If you look at your friends,

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LESSON 1
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observe many different traits. These traits include

 Building Vocabulary As you read, underline the
words and phrases that you do not understand.
When you finish reading, discuss these words and
phrases with another student or your teacher.

Essential Question • Why is biodiveristy

important?

Mark the Text

Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  1

Number of Known Species by
Taxonomic Group 5,900
5,400 117,000
8,240
42,060 9,900
29,300
27,000
96,000
1,063,000
 397,000
Plants, fungi, and algae
Birds
Bacteria, archaea,
protozoa, rotifers,
Insects and arthropods

and blue-green algae Roundworms, flatworms,

earthworms, and
related organisms Reptiles
Mollusks, cnidarians, Amphibians
echinoderms, and Mammals Other
sponges
Fish

How do scientists measure

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biodiversity?
The first step in measuring biodiversity is collecting data
about the number and types of living things in an area. There a
variety of methods that are used to collect this data.
Canopy Fogging Scientists often use canopy fogging to collect
data about biodiversity of insects. It is often used in forests. A C

low dose of insecticide is sprayed into one or several trees. The o

insects fall and are collected on a large screen. Then, they are g

identified and counted.

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Transect Sampling In this method of measuring biodiversity, -

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The transect line is marked at set intervals. The transect line is i

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placed on the ground or the surface of the habitat. At each r

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used on land and in aquatic habitats. r

Mist Netting Mist nets are fine mesh nets. They are used to t

safely capture and count living things in ecosystems. This r

method is typically used to count living things that fly or swim.

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Aerial Photos In this method of measuring biodiversity, photos
are taken from above. These photos can be used to count and
track organisms. This method is often used to count whales,
herds of migrating animals, and types of trees in forests.
Surveys Surveys can be used to gather data about biodiversity
of some types of organisms. Scientists collect and analyze data
gathered by many people. For example, data about birds can be
collected by bird watchers, field technicians, and scientists.
Quadrat Sampling In quadrat sampling, the number and
variety of living things in a square area are counted. The square
area, called a quadrat, can range in size. The quadrat is placed at
several places in a habitat. The biodiversity within the quadrat is
observed and recorded.
The Biodiversity Index Scientists can use the data they gather
to analyze the biodiversity in an area. The formula below is used
to calculate biodiversity:

Biodiversity Index = Number of species in an area

Total number of individuals in the same area
Interpreting Biodiversity Index The biodiversity index of an
area is always a number between 0 and 1. The closer to 0 it is,
the lower the biodiversity. The closer to 1 it is, the greater the
biodiversity.
 The biodiversity index depends on two things: the number of
species and the number of individuals. Think about a corn field.
It has lots of individual corn plants, but only one species. It has
a very low biodiversity index. An area with more species, but
fewer individuals of each species will have a higher biodiversity
index.

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biodiversity. Why do scientists spend so much time gathering
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Number of Species and Ecosystem Health The higher the
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biodiversity in an ecosystem, the healthier it is. A decrease of
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biodiversity in an area means the ecosystem is not functioning
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Ecosystem Changes A small change in one part of an
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changes or disruptions. When an ecosystem is healthy it can
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respond to changes and stay stable.

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Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  3

A stable ecosystem is often described as being in a state of
dynamic equilibrium. It means that after a change, the
ecosystem returns to a balanced state. Changes, or disturbances,
in an ecosystem include storms, fires, flood, drought, and
human activity. These disturbances might cause a change in the
amount of nutrients available, the amount of plant production,
or the number of species. Dynamic equilibrium is shown in the
graph below. The straight, dotted line in the middle represents a
system that experiences no changes. This type of ecosystem
does not exist in nature. The solid line shows natural processes
bringing an ecosystem towards a balanced state while adjusting
to changes.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Time

Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain dynamic

equilibrium even with significant outside disturbances. Even
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stable ecosystems might not be able to recover from a severe
disturbance. Severe disturbances can change the type of
ecosystem. For example, in some parts of Africa, many animals
graze on the savanna grasses. If all of the grass is eaten, there C

are no grass roots to hold the soil in place. The ecosystem might y

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change from a savanna to a desert.

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land biomes and aquatic ecosystems?

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Land Biomes Earth’s continents have many different

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4  Biodiversity in Ecosystems Reading Essentials

The abiotic factors in a biome determine which living things
are found there. Earth has seven major land biomes, shown
in the figure below. Areas classified as the same biome have
similar climates and organisms.
 Grassland
Tropical rain forest
Temperate rain forest
Temperate deciduous
forest Taiga
Tundra

Desert

Deserts are biomes that receive very little rain. Deserts are
found on almost every continent. A desert biome is shown in
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the figure below.
• Deserts are Earth’s driest ecosystems.
• Deserts make up about one third of Earth’s land mass.
• Plants can have a difficult time growing in the desert.
• Plants and animals in the desert have adaptations for the
hot, dry environment in which they live.

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Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  5

Grassland biomes are areas where grasses are the dominant
plants. Some of the living things in a grassland biome are
shown in the figure.
• Grasslands are also called prairies, savannas,
and meadows.
• Wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, and other important cereal
crops are grasses. They grow well in these areas.
• Home to many invertebrates, birds, and mammals.

Tropical rain forests are forests that grow near the equator
and experience heavy annual rainfall. These forests have dense
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growths of tall, leafy trees, as shown in the figure below.
• Tropical rain forests are warm and wet all year.
• Tropical rain forests have a high level of biodiversity.
• Insects make up the largest group of tropical animals.
Larger animals include parrots, toucans, snakes, frogs,
flying squirrels, fruit bats, monkeys, jaguars, and ocelots.

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6  Biodiversity in Ecosystems Reading Essentials

Temperate Rain Forests Regions of Earth between the tropics
and the polar circles are temperate regions. Temperate rain
forests are moist ecosystems located mostly in coastal areas.
• Temperate regions have relatively mild climates with
distinct seasons.
• Several biomes are in temperate regions, including rain
forests, which are shown in the figure.
• Temperate rain forests are moist ecosystems mostly in
coastal areas and are not as warm as tropical rain forests.
• Temperate rain forests do not have as much biodiversity
as tropical rain forests.
 Temperate Deciduous Forests Temperate deciduous forests
grow in temperate regions where winter and summer climates
have more variation than those in temperate rain forests.
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• Temperate deciduous forests are the most common forest
ecosystems in the United States.
• Deciduous trees lose their leaves in fall.
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Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  7

Taiga A taiga (TI guh) is a forest biome consisting mostly of
cone-bearing evergreen trees.
• The taiga biome, shown in the figure below, exists only
in the northern hemisphere. It is also called a boreal
forest.
• Reptiles and amphibians cannot survive in this biome
due to the cold temperatures. There are fewer mammals
and birds.

Tundra A tundra biome is cold, dry, and treeless, as shown in

the figure below.
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• Most tundra is located south of the North Pole. It also
exists in mountainous areas at high altitudes.
• The ground in the tundra is frozen. It is difficult for
deep-rooted plants to grow.
• A wide range of mammals live in the tundra. There are
no reptiles or amphibians.

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Aquatic Ecosystems There are four main types of water, or
aquatic, ecosystems. They are freshwater, wetlands, estuaries,
and oceans. Wetlands are aquatic ecosystems that have a thin
layer of water covering soil that is wet most of the time. Wetlands
contain freshwater, salt water, or both. Estuaries (ES chuh wer
eez) are regions along coastlines where streams or rivers flow
into a body of salt water. Most estuaries form along coastlines
where freshwater in rivers mixes with salt water in oceans.
Temperature, sunlight, and dissolved oxygen gas are important
abiotic factors in aquatic ecosystems. Fish and other aquatic
species have adaptations that enable them to use the oxygen from
the water. For example, the gills of a fish separate oxygen from
water and move the oxygen into the fish’s bloodstream.
Each type of ecosystem contains a unique variety of
organisms. Whales, dolphins, and corals live in ocean
 ecosystems. Trout and some kinds of catfish live only in
freshwater ecosystems. Many other organisms, such as birds and
seals, depend on aquatic ecosystems for food and shelter.
Streams and Rivers Freshwater ecosystems include streams,
rivers, ponds, and lakes. Streams are usually narrow, shallow,
and fast-flowing. Rivers are larger, deeper, and flow more slowly.
• Stream water is often clear because soil particles are
quickly washed downstream. Soil in a river can make the
water muddy.
• Willows, cottonwoods, and other water-loving plants grow
along streams and on riverbanks, as shown in the figure.
• Species adapted to fast-moving water include trout,
salmon, crayfish, and many insects. Species adapted to
slow-moving water include snails and catfish.

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Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  9

Ponds and Lakes Ponds and lakes contain freshwater that is
not flowing downhill. These bodies of water form in low areas
on land.
• Ponds are smaller and shallower than lakes.
• The surface water contains plants, algae, and microscopic
organisms that use sunlight for photosynthesis.
• Living things in ponds and lakes include fish, reeds, and
turtles, as shown in the figure below.

Wetlands Freshwater wetlands form at the edges of lakes and

ponds and in low areas on land. Saltwater wetlands form along
ocean coasts. Wetlands, shown in the figure, are among Earth’s
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most fertile ecosystems.
• Nutrient levels and biodiversity are high.
• Plants that can live in wetlands include grasses and
cattails. Few trees live in saltwater wetlands.
• Many insects, including flies, mosquitoes, dragonflies,
and butterflies, live in wetlands.
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10  Biodiversity in Ecosystems Reading Essentials

Estuaries Nutrient levels and biodiversity are high in
estuaries, which are shown in the figure below.
• Plants that grow in salt water include mangroves,
pickleweeds, and seagrasses.
• Animals include worms, snails, and many species that
people use for food, including shrimp, crabs, and clams. •
Many species of birds depend on estuaries for breeding,
nesting, and feeding.

Open Oceans The open ocean, shown in the figure below,

extends from the steep edges of continental shelves to the
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deepest parts of the ocean.
• Microscopic algae and other producers (organisms that
make their own food) in the sunlit zone form the base of
most ocean food chains.
• Other species in the ocean include jellyfish, tuna,
mackerel, dolphins, sea cucumbers, and brittle stars.

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Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  11

Intertidal Zones The intertidal zone, shown in the figure, is the
ocean shore between the lowest low tide and the highest high tide.
• As the tide rises, the rocks and beach are covered with
water. When the tide falls, the rocks and beach are
exposed to air.
• Many organisms live in the intertidal zones.
 • Intertidal zones provide nursery areas for many fish and
crustacean species.

Coral Reefs A coral reef is an ocean ecosystem that consists

of an underwater structure made from outside skeletons of tiny,
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soft-bodied animals called coral.
• Most coral reefs form in shallow tropical oceans.
• Coral reefs, as shown in the figure, provide food and
shelter for many animals, including parrotfish, groupers,
angelfish, eels, crabs, scallops, clams, worms, and snails.
• Grasses and algae are also found in coral reefs.

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How do humans benefit from

biodiversity?
Humans get many benefits from biodiversity and healthy
ecosystems. When biodiversity changes, the change can affect
the benefits people receive from an ecosystem. What are some
of these benefits?
Ecosystem services are the benefits experienced by
organisms, including humans, which are provided by healthy
ecosystems. There are four main types of ecosystem services.
These are supporting services, provisioning services, regulating
services, and cultural services.
Supporting services are ecosystem services that allow for
the existence of all other ecosystem services. These include
primary production, water cycling, and nutrient cycling.
Ecosystem services that provide products from an ecosystem
are called provisioning services. These services provide us with
food, water, medicine, and other natural resources.
The benefits that are received through the regulation of
ecosystem processes are defined as regulating services.
Examples of regulating services include pollination of plants and
water purification. Other regulating services are protection from
natural disasters, erosion, and climate.
Cultural services are the benefits that people obtain through
their experiences with the ecosystem. These differ from other
services. They do not have a monetary value. These include
recreational activities and the appearance of the environment.

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Reading Essentials Biodiversity in Ecosystems  13