1362.6 - Regional Statistics, Tasmania, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/08/2003   
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Contents >> Environment >> Biodiversity

Biodiversity (or biological diversity) is the variety of life forms on earth - the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they form a part. It is not static but constantly changing - increased by genetic change and evolution and reduced by processes such as habitat degradation and extinction. Biodiversity is usually considered at three levels:

  • species diversity is the variety of species on earth (plants, animals, bacteria)
  • ecosystem diversity is the variety of habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes
  • genetic diversity is the variety of genetic information within and between populations of species. It is the basis of continuing evolution, and of the adaptability and survival of species.


FURTHER INFORMATION




This section contains the following subsection :
        Land cover
        Threatened species

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