What is the Difference Between Species Diversity and Ecosystem Diversity

The main difference between species diversity and ecosystem diversity is that the species diversity is the variety of species in a particular region whereas the ecosystem diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a particular area. 

Species diversity and ecosystem diversity, along with genetic diversity, are the three levels of biodiversity on the earth. Furthermore, species diversity promotes the biotic interactions and stability of a community while ecosystem diversity promotes a variety of abiotic-biotic interactions.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Species Diversity
     – Definition, Facts, Interactions
2. What is Ecosystem Diversity
     – Definition, Facts, Interactions
3. What are the Similarities Between Species Diversity and Ecosystem Diversity
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Species Diversity and Ecosystem Diversity
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Abiotic, Biodiversity, Biotic, Ecosystem Diversity, Ecosystems, Species, Species Diversity

What is Species Diversity

Species diversity is the variety of species within a particular region, which can range from a small habitat to the entire earth. So far, 1.7 million species have been identified on earth. However, the total number of species on earth can be 5-100 million. Most of the species on the earth are insects and microorganisms. Moreover, around 99% of the species on the earth are invertebrates. Interestingly, mammals make up less than 1% of the total animal species.

Figure 1: A Variety of Hawaiian Endemic Fish Species Inhabit a Reef at Pearl and Hermes

All species in a particular ecosystem make a community. Both intra-specific and interspecific interactions occur among individuals in this community. Scientists group organisms into species based on shared characteristics. The main feature that defines a species is the ability of organisms in a species to interbreed. Furthermore, they group species into different taxonomic levels based in the same way.

What is Ecosystem Diversity

Ecosystem diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a particular region. The two main varieties of ecosystems on earth are terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The major types of habitats on earth include tropical rain forests, wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, coral reefs, etc. Tropical rainforests cover 7% of the surface on the earth. They are the richest ecosystems in biodiversity. Moreover, isolated islands are rich in endemic species.

Figure 2: A Wetland Ecosystem

Generally, an ecosystem is a collection of communities of organisms and their physical environment. Therefore, an ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic interactions.

Similarities Between Species Diversity and Ecosystem Diversity

• Species diversity and ecosystem diversity are two types of biodiversity on the earth.
• Both of them contribute to the variations.
• Moreover, they are described with respect to a particular area.

Difference Between Species Diversity and Ecosystem Diversity

Definition

Species diversity refers to the number of different species that are represented in a given community while ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of different ecosystems within an area. These definitions indicates the main difference between species diversity and ecosystem diversity.

Biotic/Abiotic Factors

Moreover, species diversity only includes biotic factors while ecosystem diversity includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

Biotic/Abiotic Interactions

Another difference between species diversity and ecosystem diversity is that species diversity only includes biotic interactions while ecosystem diversity includes both biotic and abiotic interactions.

Level of Biodiversity

Furthermore, species diversity describes biodiversity at a medium level while ecosystem diversity describes biodiversity at a large level.

Conclusion

Species diversity refers to the variety of species living in a particular area. A community represents all the species in a particular ecosystem that interact with each other. On the other hand, ecosystem diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a particular area. It includes both biotic and the abiotic factors. Thus, the main difference between species diversity and ecosystem diversity is the level of diversity.

Reference:

1. Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department (1994). Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Aqua Farm News, 12(3), 2-3. Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fish Diversity” By Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Public domain) via Flickr
2. “The lake ecosystem” By Abhishek Singh (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr