Welcome to Biodiversity Guide
Conservation International Biodiversity Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Everybody Talks About Biodiversity – But Are We Doing Anything About It?
from:Biodiversity is one of “those” terms. Everyone thinks they know what it means, but asked to define it, they often can only do so in the broadest, most general terms. If you don't know what something is though, there is nothing you can do to protect it.
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, biodiversity is defined as “the variety of all forms of life, from genes to species, through to the broad scale of ecosystems.” The term was coined as a contraction of "biological diversity"but has acquired its own meaning.
Since 1986 the term biodiversity and the concepts it covers have achieved widespread use among scientists and civilians alike, as a shorthand term for a very grave and complicated set of issues. Its current usage merges a concern for nature conservation and the natural environment with a concern over the increasing extinction of plant and animal species. Briefly, there are three main types of biodiversity:
Genetic Diversity: Differences of genes within a species. For example this is why you might have red hair and green eyes while your best friend has brown hair and blue eyes.
Species Diversity: Differences among both plant and animal species in an ecosystem.
Ecosystem Diversity: Differences at the ecosystem level. Some areas of the planet are deserts, and some are marshes. Each has its own particular characteristics and species of flora and fauna
Biodiversity is what keeps our air and water clean. It regulates our climate and weather, and provides us with sources of food, shelter, clothing, and is the basis of most modern medicine. It improves our quality of life by creating lovely natural spaces where we can refresh ourselves by relaxing, playing, and admiring nature's great beauty and variety.
Over the years, the biodiversity of such regions as the African rain forests have provided science with the basis for much of the medicine we take for granted. Belladonna, horse chestnuts, pineapple, and many other plants, both exotic and domestic have all played a part in maintaining our health and well-being.
A diverse population of insects for pollination—which helps with the growing and development of much of our food—can be, and are, harmed by pesticides. And much of our industry (and financial well-being as a nation) is dependent on fibers, building materials, and other natural resources .
The decisions we make, both as individuals and as a nation affect the web of life all over the planet, therefore it is our responsibility to maintain and sustain biodiversity.
It is only by understanding these relationships that we can ensure our decisions will preserve Earth’s biodiversity for the generations that follow us.
Conservation International Biodiversity News
'Marine biodiversity needs more attention' - Daily News & Analysis
 UN News Centre | 'Marine biodiversity needs more attention' Daily News & Analysis Efforts taken to conserve it and challenges in protecting the same were discussed at a one-day workshop on coastal and marine biodiversity at Science City on Tuesday. The workshop, held as part of the International Day of Biological Diversity ... IGNOU launches online course on biodiversity On biodiversity day, UN chief calls for greater protection of world's oceans Overfishing will result in disappearance of fish species in 50 years: Official |
Step Up Efforts to Protect Biodiversity - Molewa - AllAfrica.com
Step Up Efforts to Protect Biodiversity - Molewa AllAfrica.com Speaking at the launch of the National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 report, during International Day for Biodiversity celebrations at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Molewa said biodiversity was the basis for human and socio-economic development. |
Awareness of biodiversity - DAWN.com
Awareness of biodiversity DAWN.com International Biodiversity Day and World Wildlife Week are celebrated from May 22 – 28 every year all over the world to foster awareness about biodiversity and its role in social, economic and ecological stability of the Mother Earth. Biodiversity: we must take action now |
Sikkim celebrated International Biodiversity Day - isikkim
Sikkim celebrated International Biodiversity Day isikkim The rally participated by the students of Schools in and around Gangtok with the poster, play card and slogans to draw the attention of the people, tourists and shopkeepers on conservation and protection of biodiversity along with the officials of the ... |
Top 10 new species of 2011 named by conservation group - Los Angeles Times
 msnbc.com | Top 10 new species of 2011 named by conservation group Los Angeles Times But the International Institute for Species Exploration, headquartered at Arizona State University, has a new take on such lists. For the last five years, the institute has been issuing a top 10 list of the quirkiest, most bizarre and just plain ... Top 10 new species list draws attention to diverse biosphere Why a top 10 new species list? |