Standard+4.3.10.c

=Biological Diversity=

Standard 4.3.10.C. Explain biological diversity as an indicator of a healthy environment.

Species diversity, a form of biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variance of species located throughout different habitats on earth. The health of an environment is clearly measured by the extent of biological diversity present in an environment (Miller, 1996). Research shows and scientists agree that as the diversity of an ecosystem declines, the likelihood that it will recover from stress also declines. Depending on the types of species that are removed, the degree of deterioration varies. Species can adapt and diversify to fill the vacant niches. This assists in revitalizing the health of an ecosystem ("EPA's 2007 Report," 2007). An example would be the affects of a natural disaster. For instance, a volcano could extinct a majority of the species in an area. This ecosystem would be considered extremely unhealthy because of the lack of biological diversity. Over time speciation would occur, the new species filling the empty functions.

Indicator Species / Chesapeake Bay

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