Species richness

Definition

Species richness is the number of different species represented in a given ecological community, landscape, or region. It is a measure of biodiversity and an important indicator of ecosystem health.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Species richness indicates the variety of species within an ecosystem.
2. It is often used to compare different habitats or ecological communities.
3. Higher species richness generally signifies a more stable and resilient ecosystem.
4. Species richness can be influenced by factors such as habitat diversity, climate, and human activities.
5. Measuring species richness alone may not provide a complete picture of biodiversity because it doesn't account for species abundance or distribution.

Review Questions

• What does species richness measure?
• How can human activities impact species richness?
• Why might two ecosystems with the same number of species have different levels of biodiversity?

Related terms

Species Evenness: A measure of how equal the populations of each species are in an area.

Biodiversity: The variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or the entire Earth.

Ecosystem Stability: The capacity of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over long periods despite disturbances.