Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety of life on Earth at all levels, including the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems
. It encompasses all living organisms such as animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms like bacteria, as well as the interactions among them and their environments
. Biodiversity can be understood through different dimensions:
- Genetic diversity : Variation within species, such as differences in genes that influence traits and adaptability
- Species diversity : The variety and abundance of different species in a particular area or globally
- Ecosystem diversity : The range of different habitats, communities, and ecological processes in the environment
This diversity is unevenly distributed on Earth, with tropical regions hosting a higher number of species due to favorable climate conditions
. Biodiversity is dynamic, shaped by evolutionary processes, but is currently threatened by human activities like habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, leading to significant losses and concerns about a potential sixth mass extinction
. Biodiversity is crucial because it underpins ecosystem services essential for human survival and well-being, including food, clean water, climate regulation, and cultural values
. Healthy biodiversity supports economic activities such as agriculture, fishing, and tourism, and provides resources for medicine and biotechnology
. In summary, biodiversity is the rich variety of life forms and their ecological relationships that sustain the natural systems on which all life depends
