An easy way to measure biodiversity is to count the number of species in an area Scientists classify similar living things in groups called species For example horses ladybugs and roses are all different species Areas with a large number of different species have high biodiversity quarter horses While quarter horses ladybugs and water lilies may live and grow in the same area each belongs to a different species ladybugs water lilies 6
Another type of biodiversity is in an organism’s genes The cells of all living organisms have genes Genes hold the instructions that decide what the organism looks like and how it works Every species has different genes That is what makes a tree different from a horse Did You Know Some living things in the same species have genes that make them different For example poodles retrievers and boxers are all dogs The difference in their genes creates different types of dogs poodle retriever boxer 7
Biodiversity can also be the variety of ecosystems where organisms live An ecosystem is a community of living things and their physical environment Coral reefs wetlands deserts and forests are examples of ecosystems The animals plants and other living things on Earth live in different ecosystems Name The Ecosystem What kinds of animals live here wetland forest desert 8
Each place has its own characteristics and climate Is it hot or cold Is it wet or dry The climate of each ecosystem affects its biodiversity Together the variety of species genes and ecosystems make up Earth’s biodiversity Did You Know The largest living organism on Earth is a coral reef called The Great Barrier Reef off Australia 9
