What does biodiversity refer to?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity within those species and the various ecosystems that they form. This concept highlights the importance of diversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems, as each species plays a unique role in its environment, contributing to ecosystem services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and habitat provision.

The other options do not capture the full essence of biodiversity. Population size is specific to individual species and does not reflect the variety of life forms present in a habitat. The presence of only native species narrows the definition, as biodiversity includes both native and non-native species that may coexist in ecosystems. Finally, considering only the total area of an ecosystem overlooks the complexity and variety of species that inhabit it, which are crucial for understanding biodiversity.