Final answer:
Species diversity is influenced by extinction, origination (speciation), and standing diversity, with all factors contributing to the overall biodiversity observed at any given time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Species diversity at a particular point in time is affected by a combination of factors, including extinction, origination (or speciation), and the existing number of species, which is referred to as standing diversity. Extinction is the process by which species disappear from the Earth or a particular region, and when extinction rates are high, biodiversity decreases.
Conversely, origination or speciation, which is the generation of new species, increases biodiversity. Standing diversity refers to the current number of species present in a specific region or on the planet. It represents a snapshot of biodiversity at a particular point in time, influenced by past extinction and speciation events. The equation assessing species diversity is therefore the net result of these contributing factors.