Elements of biodiversity include:
- Genetic diversity – the varied genetic make-up among individuals of a single species
- Species diversity – the variety of species within a particular geographic area, such as the birds, fish, insects, bacteria and plants that live within a wetland
- Ecological diversity – the variety of ecosystem types (such as forests, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, streams, lakes and oceans) and the communities within them. These communities interact with each other and with the non-living environment. For example, the mountain stone weta contains a form of anti-freeze in its tissue to avoid the damage caused by ice crystals in its body. This allows it to live in high alpine environments from Marlborough to Otago.
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