01Why diversity matters
Biodiversity includes genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. More diverse ecosystems are generally more resilient — they recover faster from disturbance and are more productive.
Ecosystem services: pollination, clean water, soil formation, medicine (many drugs come from plants).
02Notebook box
Higher diversity → more stability and resilience.
Worked example: A diverse prairie and a wheat monoculture face a drought. Which recovers faster? → The prairie; some species tolerate drought and hold the system together.