# Describe what is meant by biodiversity and outline two reasons why maintaining biodiversity is important.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 6.3 Biodiversity · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Biodiversity refers to the variety/range of different species (in an area/ecosystem)
2. Maintaining biodiversity preserves food webs / ecosystems are more stable (because species depend on each other)
3. Many species provide resources for medicine / new medicines could be discovered from wild species
4. Biodiversity supports food security / wild species provide genes for breeding disease-resistant or higher-yielding crops (or named equivalent benefit to agriculture)

## Key terms

- [biodiversity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/biodiversity)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-what-is-meant-by-biodiversity-51daa258) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.