What term refers to the variety of living organisms in a region?

• A. Biodiversity
• B. Sustainability
• C. Pesticide
• D. Mechanized farming

Answer: (A)

Biodiversity is the term that describes the variety of living organisms in a region. It includes genetic diversity within species, the number of different species, and the variety of ecosystems present. In agricultural and geographic contexts, this diversity underpins essential services like pollination, natural pest control, nutrient cycling, and soil health, contributing to resilience against pests and climate change. Practices that reduce diversity, such as monocultures or habitat loss, can weaken these services. Sustainability relates to maintaining resources over time but refers to a broader concept beyond just the variety of life. Pesticides and mechanized farming describe methods or inputs in agriculture, not the variety of organisms in an area. The question specifically points to the term for the variety of living organisms, which is biodiversity.