Final answer:
Biodiversity includes the variety of life forms in an ecosystem, encompassing genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It refers to all forms of life on Earth, from microbes to mammals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recognize that biodiversity includes the variety of life forms in an ecosystem, which encompasses the following aspects:
- Genetic diversity within species
- The number and kinds of species, or species diversity
- The ecosystems in which life forms exist, known as ecosystem diversity
Biodiversity is a complex concept that includes all forms of life on Earth, from the tiniest microbes to the largest mammals, and reflects the vast number of different organisms, their genetic differences, and the communities and ecosystems they form. It is an essential element of nature that contributes to the balance and functionality of the biosphere. Therefore, when one considers what biodiversity includes, option c) Variety of life forms in an ecosystem is the correct answer. It does not include inanimate objects within an environment as they are not living entities.