biodiversity

bio·di·ver·si·ty

noun \-də-ˈvər-sə-tē, -dī-\

Definition of BIODIVERSITY

: biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals

— bio·di·verse \-dī-ˈvərs, -də-\ adjective

First Known Use of BIODIVERSITY

1985

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

biodiversity

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Quantity of plant and animal species found in a given environment. Sometimes habitat diversity (the variety of places where organisms live) and genetic diversity (the variety of traits expressed within a species) are also considered types of biodiversity. The estimated 3–30 million species on Earth are divided unequally among the world's habitats, with 50–90% of the world's species living in tropical regions. The more diverse a habitat, the better chance it has of surviving a change or threat to it, because it is more likely to be able to make a balancing adjustment. Habitats with little biodiversity (e.g., Arctic tundra) are more vulnerable to change. The 1992 Earth Summit resulted in a treaty for the preservation of biodiversity.