objects/biodiversity-three-scales.html

Biodiversity is defined differently across time scales

Immediate time scale

• number of different species or richness indicies
• species spread across many taxonomic groups

Habitat that is available for species to thrive

• area, conditions and resources needed for species to survive
• sufficient populations and geogrphic distribution to avoid accidental extinction
• sources for population immigration

Overall environmental conditions that are healthy for continued adaptation and evolution

• multiple robust populations
• very long term stability, health and resilience of the ecosystems
• protection from human degradation
• management approaches that are also long term, diverse and resilient