Genetic, organismal and ecological levels of biodiversity

Levels of Biodiversity

[Norse et al. 1986] were the first authors to describe biodiversity in terms of three key levels of organisation, namely genetic, species and ecological diversity.

More recent classifications [Harper & Hawksworth 1995] prefer to use the levels of genetic,organismal and ecological diversity.

• What do these three levels of organisation of biodiversity share in common?
• Are these three levels independent?
• Why is the species regarded as the basic unit andcommon currency of biodiversity?