Ecosystem Unit 1: Lesson 5

Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on the Earth and the variations within species. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area, biome, or planet.

Thailand Biodiversity Thailand is rich in biodiversity and is the home to more than 12,000 plant species, 302 species of mammals and 982 species of birds. There are more than 2,100 saltwater fish species and 720 freshwater fish species in our country, accounting for 10 percent of the estimated total fish species worldwide.

Importance of Biodiversity The diversity of living things and the variety of ecosystem provide us with various biological products, such as food, timber, rubber, organic oil, and spices, many which play an important role in the economy. Plants provide many raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry.

Test Yourself What is biodiversity? Give one importance of biodiversity.

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