L.  B.    /  2023  –  2024      

SVT  2nde  /  Chapter  3  

«  Biodiversity  :  Past  and  Present  »  

Short  for  biological  diversity,  biodiversity  is  a  term  used  to  describe  the  enormous  variety  of  life  
on  Earth;  all  living  things  including  plants,  bacteria,  animals,  and  humans.  It  can  be  used  more  
specifically  to  refer  to  all  of  the  species  in  one  region  or  ecosystem.    
 
 
A-­‐   Levels  of  Biodiversity  
 
1-­‐   Genetic   diversity   (la   biodiversité   génétique)   is   all   the   different   genes   contained   in   all  
individual  plants,  animals,  fungi,  and  microorganisms.  It  occurs  within  a  species  as  well  as  
between  species.    
2-­‐   Species  diversity  (la  biodiversité  des  espèces)  is  all  the  differences  within  and  between  
populations  of  species,  as  well  as  between  different  species.    
3-­‐   Ecosystem   diversity   (la   biodiversité   des   écosystèmes)   is   all   the   different   habitats,  
biological   communities,   and   ecological   processes,   as   well   as   variation   within   individual  
ecosystems.  

1
    L.  B.    /  2023  –  2024      
SVT  2nde  /  Chapter  3  

B-­‐   Studying  Biodiversity  

 
-   Basic   to   the   study   of   biodiversity   is   the   ability   to   accurately   recognize   and   define   the  
species  (or  taxon,  plural  taxa).  This  concerns  the  science  of  taxonomy  (the  classification  
of  species).  In  this  way,  scientists  can:  
ü   determine  if  species  are  unique,  found  only  in  a  restricted  geographical  region  
(endemic),  or  if  they  have  more  widespread  distributions  (cosmopolitan);  
ü   distinguish  native  species  from  introduced  pests  or  pathogens;  
ü   make   reasonable   decisions   about   conservation,   resource   use   and  
management.  
-   Some  areas  in  the  world,  such  as  areas  of  Mexico,  South  Africa,  Brazil,  the  southwestern  
United   States,   and   Madagascar,   have   more   biodiversity   than   others.   Areas   with  
extremely  high  levels  of  biodiversity  are  called  hotspots.  Endemic  species  are  also  found  
in  hotspots.  
 
 
C-­‐   Species  Change  Over  Time  
 
-   To  describe  specific  diversity,  humans  use  the  concept  of  species.  There  are  several  ways  
to   define   species.   According   to   the   biological   definition,   individuals   belong   to   the   same  
species  if  they  reproduce  with  each  other  and  generate  viable  offspring  (inter-­‐fertility  
criterion).  
-   New  species  can  appear:  this  is  called  speciation.  A  speciation  can  take  place  over  a  few  
years.  
-   Evolution  is  the  process  by  which  species  adapt  over  time  in  response  to  their  changing  
environment.  
 
 
D-­‐   Diversity  Between  Individuals  
 
-   In  a  population,  the  same  gene  can  exist  in  different  versions:  the  alleles.  Alleles  are  the  
result  of  mutations  affecting  the  DNA.  
-   Genetic   biodiversity   describes   the   diversity   of   alleles   possessed   by   individuals   of   the  
same  species.  
 
 
 
 
 

2
    L.  B.    /  2023  –  2024      
SVT  2nde  /  Chapter  3  
 

 
 
E-­‐   Past  &  Current  Modifications  in  Biodiversity:  
 
-   The  present  biodiversity  is  only  a  small  fraction  of  the  past  biodiversity,  known  from  the  
study  of  fossils.  
-   Biological  crises,  of  various  causes,  are  stages  in  the  history  of  life  that  are  manifested  
by  mass  extinctions  followed  by  diversification.  
-   Humans   are   responsible   for   a   reduction   in   biodiversity.   This   action   is   explained   by:   the  
destruction   of   living   environments   and   habitats,   overexploitation   (fishing,   hunting,  
excessive  gathering,  introduction  of  invasive  species,  pollution,  climate  change).  
-   The  speed  and  extent  of  the  current  decline  in  global  biodiversity  suggest  that  we  are  in  
a  sixth  major  biological  crisis.  
 

3
    L.  B.    /  2023  –  2024      
L’ESSENTIEL PAR L’IMAGE SVT  2nde  /  Chapter  3  
L’ESSENTIEL PAR L’IMAGE

End of Chapter 3.

© Belin Éducation / Humensis, 2023