Understanding the Importance of Biodiversity
Listen to the following lecture given by Professor Larson about the significance of biodiversity in ecosystems:
Professor Larson: Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we will discuss the critical role biodiversity plays in maintaining the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity refers not only to the variety of species but also to the genetic diversity within those species and the variety of ecosystems themselves. Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, enabling systems to recover from disturbances like natural disasters or human impact. For instance, in a diverse ecosystem, if one species is affected by a disease, other species can take its place, ensuring the ecosystem continues to function.
Additionally, biodiversity supports ecosystem services that are vital to human survival, such as pollination of crops, carbon storage, and regulating water cycles. However, human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change threaten these intricate networks. Addressing these threats requires collaborative efforts at both local and global levels. To truly appreciate biodiversity, we must not only look at individual species but understand how their interactions strengthen ecosystems.
Note: This question has been adapted from its original format to accommodate a reading-based version. In the official TOEFL exam, speaking and listening sections require verbal responses and audio prompts, which are not represented here. Please note that this adaptation may not fully reflect the nature or difficulty of the official exam. The audio feature for these sections will be available soon.