How is biodiversity defined?

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of living organisms in an ecosystem. This includes the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that inhabit a particular environment. Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the balance and health of ecosystems, as each species plays a specific role in its ecological community, contributing to processes such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and food webs.

The concept of biodiversity encompasses not just the number of species present, but also genetic diversity within those species and the variety of ecosystems themselves. A rich biodiversity indicates a resilient environment that can adapt to changes and withstand disturbances, whereas low biodiversity can lead to vulnerabilities and instability within an ecosystem.

In contrast, other options focus on aspects of ecosystems that do not encompass the full range of biodiversity. For instance, the total biomass of a community relates to the amount of living material present and does not account for the variety of species. Similarly, the number of predators speaks to a specific ecological role rather than the variety of organisms overall. The specific adaptations of species to environments highlight evolutionary traits rather than the diversity itself. The correct definition captures the essence of biodiversity as the variety crucial for ecosystem stability and health.