Biodiversity - GCSE Geography Definition

Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright

Last updated

What is biodiversity in geography?

In GCSE geography, biodiversity is the variety (the number) of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) found in an ecosystem.

The hotter and wetter a place is, the more plant species there tend to be. These provide food and habitats for animals, so the greater the number of animal species.

Tropical rainforests have the highest levels of biodiversity because they are warm and wet all year round. Approximately, 50% of the world's plant and animal species live within the rainforest biome.

In GCSE geography, biodiversity is important because:

  • It provides us with resources such as food, fuel, clothing, and housing, and it's also a source of economic benefit through tourism.

  • It supports a healthy ecosystem and provides us with the air we breathe and the food we eat.

  • Species and organisms interact, which maintains balance and supports life.

Biodiversity revision resources to ace your exams

You can learn more about biodiversity in our GCSE Geography revision note pages:

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Jacque Cartwright

Reviewer: Jacque Cartwright

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.

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