B

Biodiversity and
Evolution
How human activities have
deeply modified the species
territory?
What are the main threats to
biodiversity?
• LESSON 1: TYPES OF
BIODIVERSITY
 The term biodiversity was coined by Raymond F.
Dasmann in 1985 and was introduced to the
science communities by Thomas E. Lovejoy.

 Biodiversity exists in three levels: species, genetic,

and ecosystem diversity.
• DIFFERENT TYPES OF
BIODIVERSITY
Species diversity pertains to the total number of
species that exist within a region, as well as the
number of individuals composing each species and
how they interact with each other and the physical
environment. A species is a group of organisms
possessing a unique set of characteristics.
• How many species of cats do
you know?
• How many species of birds do
you know?
• How many species of fish do you
know?
Genetic diversity pertains to the variations in genes (genetic
makeup or genotype) between distinct species. Genetic
diversity exists as a result of the variations in the sequence
of the four base-pairs that compose the DNA nucleotide, the
building block of nucleic acids. Take a look at the different
kinds of domestic cat (Felis domestica) shown in Figure 3.2.
What are their similarities? How do they differ from each
other?
Ecosystem diversity pertains to the variation of
ecosystems: forests (temperate and tropical),
savannas, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and ponds,
among others, and the various types of habitats found
within each type.
• How many kinds of fish do
you see?
• Cite at least 5 species that are
familiar to you.
• Do they eat the same kind of
food? If yes, what is their
food source?
• Cite at least two natural
phenomena and two man
made activities that can harm
them.