It is made up of individuals that have their own particular genetic composition. It is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.
Genetic diversity. Definition. noun. Genetic diversity refers to both the vast numbers of different species as well as the diversity within a species. The greater the genetic diversity within a species, the greater that species' chances of long-term survival. This is because negative traits (such as inherited diseases) become widespread within a population when that population is left to reproduce only with its own members 1 Both plant species diversity and genetic diversity within a plant species can affect community properties and ecosystem processes. 2  However, the relative contribution of species diversity and genetic diversity to ecosystem functioning is poorly known. Summary. 1  Populations or species with low genetic diversity at many genes are at risk. When diversity is very low, all the individuals are nearly identical. If a new environmental pressure, such as a disease, comes along, all of the individuals within the population may get the disease and die. To measure the genetic diversity of a particular gene, scientists look at how many different versions of it (called alleles) are present in a population. For example, one gene may determine the flower color of a plant. Different alleles may exist for that gene (e.g., a pink allele, a purple allele, and a white allele). Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on Earth and the variations within species. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area, biome, or planet. Terrestrial biodiversity tends to be greater near the equator, which seems to be the result of the warm climate and high primary productivity. Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary. Genetic diversity serves as a way for populations to adapt to changing environments. With more variation, it is more likely that some individuals in a population will possess variations of alleles that are suited for the environment. Those individuals are more likely to survive to produce offspring bearing that allele. Diversifying selection is the hypothesis that two subpopulations of a species live in different environments that select for different alleles at a particular locus. This may occur, for instance, if a species has a large range relative to the mobility of individuals within it. Genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within a species. Each species is made up of individuals that have their own particular genetic composition. This means a species may have different populations, each having different genetic compositions. To conserve genetic diversity, different populations of a species must be conserved. Genes are the basic units of all life on Earth. They are responsible for both the similarities and the differences between organisms. Furthermore, the loss of genetic diversity within a species can result in the loss of useful and desirable traits (e.g. resistance to parasites). Reduced diversity may eliminate options to use untapped resources for food production, industry and medicine. In contrast, the reduction and extinction of populations is far easier to see. Extinction is not only the loss of whole species, but is also preceded by a loss of genetic diversity within the species. This loss reduces the species ability to perform its inherent role in the whole ecosystem. Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within a species. Each species is made up of individuals that have their own particular genetic composition. Within a species there may also be discrete populations with distinctive genes.  Biodiversity is the variety of all living things; the different plants, animals and micro organisms, the genetic information they contain and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is usually explored at three levels-genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. To conserve genetic diversity, different populations of a species must be conserved. Genes are the basic units of all life on Earth. They are responsible for both the similarities and the differences between organisms.
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Genetic_diversity http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2012.02016.x/abstract http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/science/conservation/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_diversity http://australianmuseum.net.au/what-is-biodiversity http://biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/bio-eng/boxes/geneticdiv.html http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/what_is_biodiversity/genetic_diversity/ http://australianmuseum.net.au/what-is-biodiversity
what is genetic diversity within a species