What is meant by species diversity?

Species diversity refers to the variety of species present within a given ecosystem, along with the abundance of those species. This concept encompasses both the number of different species (species richness) and their relative abundance in comparison to one another. A high level of species diversity is crucial for ecosystem health, resilience, and functionality, as it allows for more interactions among species, contributing to greater ecosystem stability and productivity.

While the presence of ecosystems and genetic variation or biomass within them are important ecological concepts, they do not directly define species diversity. Instead, species diversity specifically focuses on the different types of organisms and the richness of life forms in a particular area. This understanding is essential for biologists and ecologists when assessing the health and sustainability of ecosystems.