What term describes the variety of life in an ecosystem?

The term that describes the variety of life in an ecosystem is biodiversity. Biodiversity encompasses the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity within these species and the variety of ecosystems in which they exist.

This richness of life is essential because it contributes to ecosystem services that humans rely on, such as clean air and water, pollination of crops, and climate regulation. Biodiversity also enhances ecosystem resilience, allowing it to better withstand and recover from environmental stressors.

In contrast, extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a species, which negatively impacts biodiversity rather than describing it. A habitat is the environment where a species lives, which is just one aspect of biodiversity. Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area, which also does not cover the full scope of variety in an ecosystem.