Species Diversity

Species diversity is the number of different species and the abundance of each species within a community.

The higher the species diversity of plants and trees in an area, the higher the species diversity of insects, animals and birds.

This is because there are more habitats and a larger and more varied food source.

Diversity can be measured to help us monitor ecosystems and identify areas where it has been dramatically reduced.

d = N (N-1) / ∑n (n-1)

N number of organisms of all species.

n total number of one species.

Deforestation

Deforestation directly reduces the number of trees and sometimes the number of species of trees.

It als destroys habitats and some species may lose their shelter and food source. These effected species will be forced to migrate or will die.

Migration to other areas may temporarily increase the diversity of that specific area.

P - Wood and land for homes to be built.

P - Local areas become more developed by attracting business.

C - Diversity is reduced and risk of extinction increased.

C - Less CO2 storage as there are fewer plants.

C - Many medicines come from these trees and plants that are lost.

C - Natural beauty.

Agriculture

Woodland and Hedgerow Clearance - to increase farmland and turn smaller fields into larger ones.

Monoculture - fields containing only one type of crop are grown which reduces the diversity as the one plant will not support as many species.

Pesticides - these kill pests that feed on crops which directly reduces the diversity.

Herbicides - these kill unwanted plants.

P - More food produced and is cheaper to produce which them lowers the price.

P - Local areas become more developed by attracting business.

C - Diversity is reduced.

C - Natural beauty is lost.