Biodiversity

The extent to which an ecosystem has a few or many different species and types of organisms is termed its biodiversity. While some ecosystems naturally have relatively few different types of organisms (arctic ecosystems are examples here), ecosystems with a greater diversity are often thought to be more healthy and robust. Living organisms contribute to a wide variety of environmental services, such as regulation of the gaseous composition of the atmosphere, protection of coastal zones, regulation of the hydrological cycle and climate, generation and conservation of fertile soils, dispersal and breakdown of wastes and absorption of pollutants. It is not an overstatement to say that human health and well being are directly dependent on biodiversity.

Loss of biodiversity can occur as a result of many human activities and their results, including land conversion, climate change, pollution and unsustainable harvesting of natural resources. In order to maintain the Earth's biodiversity, national and international policies will need to be changed in order to integrate the measures to protect areas, habitats and species. Reducing natural habitat destruction and promoting co-operation between countries are good ways of safeguarding the biodiversity that remains.

Forests provide habitats for wildlife		The beauty of biodiversity