# Explain why a habitat with a large number of different species is considered to have high biodiversity.

> WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales) — 2.1.2 Biodiversity · Explain · 4 marks

> Scientists monitor the number and variety of species living in different habitats to assess the health of ecosystems.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Biodiversity refers to the variety/range of different species in a habitat/area
2. A large number of different species means there is greater variety, so biodiversity is high
3. High biodiversity means the ecosystem has more complex food webs / greater variety of interactions between organisms
4. High biodiversity makes the ecosystem more stable / better able to recover from changes or disturbances

## Key terms

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

## Related

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

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-habitat-with-a-09c01890) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.