Difference between biodiversity and ecosystem
What is biodiversity?
La biodiversity It refers to the variety of living beings that live in a certain place. This biological variability ranges from genetic diversity to the different species and the ecosystems where they develop.
Biodiversity is essential for the functioning of the planet, since it allows ecosystems to be stable and capable of providing ecosystem services that favor people's lives.
What is an ecosystem?
Un ecosystem It is a set of living beings that interact with each other and with their environment. In an ecosystem, two main components can be distinguished: biotic and abiotic.
- Biotic component: It refers to the living beings present in the ecosystem, from the smallest ones such as bacteria, to the largest ones such as animals and plants.
- Abiotic component: It includes the non-living elements of the ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, air, temperature, among others.
What is the difference between biodiversity and ecosystem?
Although biodiversity y ecosystem They are related, they do not mean the same. The main difference is that biodiversity focuses on the variety of living beings in a place, while the ecosystem encompasses not only living beings, but also the non-living elements of that place.
Example:
If we look at a forest, biodiversity refers to the number of species of trees, plants, animals and other living organisms that we can find there. On the other hand, the ecosystem would also include non-living factors, such as land, climate, sunlight and other elements that interact with life in that forest.
Conclusion
In summary, biodiversity is the diversity of living beings in a place, while the ecosystem refers to the entire set of living and non-living elements that interact in that same place. Both concepts are fundamental to the understanding and conservation of the natural world.
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