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Biodiversity, or biological diversity, may be defined as the variety of living organisms inhabiting a region. Because this definition only implies the existence of a very complex phenomenon, biologists further divide 'biodiversity' into three levels: genetic, species and community. Genetic diversity is the variation of the genetic makeup of individuals or populations of species. Species diversity is the variety of species found within a region of interest. Community diversity is the variety of natural communities, and the species living within them, found within a region. Oklahoma Biodiversity Task Force. 1996. Oklahoma's Biodiversity Plan. Chapter 1: What is Biodiversity, Pp. 3-5. Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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