Species Distribution
Earth hosts an estimated 8.7 million species, with tropical regions containing highest biodiversity. Organisms evolved diverse adaptations across ecosystems, from deep oceans to mountain peaks. Species distribution follows patterns based on climate, geography, and historical factors that created distinct biogeographic regions.
Conservation Status
Current extinction rates exceed natural background levels by 100-1000 times. Habitat loss, climate change, and human activities threaten biodiversity. Protected areas cover 15% of land and 7% of oceans, while conservation efforts focus on biodiversity hotspots containing high species concentrations.
Ecosystem Services
Biodiversity provides essential services including pollination, carbon storage, and water purification. Complex food webs maintain ecosystem stability, while genetic diversity enables adaptation to environmental changes. Marine biodiversity supports global fisheries, while plant diversity provides medical compounds and agricultural resources.Shutdown123