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Biodiversity

Biodiversity is not easily defined. Try What is Biodiversity? and Defining The 'B' Word for approaches with differing emphases. Below is a definition adapted from the World Resources Institute, World Conservation Union, and United Nations Environment Programme in Global Biodiversity Strategy 1992.

"Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region... Biodiversity can be divided into three hierarchical categories -- genes, species, and ecosystems -- that describe quite different aspects of living systems and that scientists measure in different ways.

Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species. This covers distinct populations of the same species (such as the thousands of traditional rice varieties in India) or genetic variation within a populations (high among Indian rhinos, and very low among cheetahs) ...

Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a region. Such diversity can be measured in many ways, and scientists have not settled on a single best method. The number of species in a region -- its species richness -- is one often- used measure, but a more precise measurement, taxonomic diversity, also considers the relationship of species to each other. For example, an island with two species of birds and one species of lizard has a greater taxonomic diversity than an island with three species of birds but no lizards ...

Ecosystem diversity is harder to measure than species or genetic diversity because the boundaries of communities -- associations of species -- and ecosystems are elusive. Nevertheless, as long as a consistent set of criteria is used to define communities and ecosystems, their numbers and distribution can be measured ..."

Resources related to biodiversity or conservation as an issue or a topic of debate belong primarily in the relevant subcategory of Society/Issues/Environment.

Related: (very comprehensive guide) Where should I submit my website about animals? Or, where will I find the animal topic I am looking for?

Sites in Biodiversity

The Global Diversity Foundation
The Global Diversity Foundation documents, monitors and promotes agricultural, biological and cultural diversity around the world, particularly through training and research.
Bibliography of Genetic Variation in Natural Populations
Searchable database of citations on natural populations of animals, plants, and microbes.
NBII: Biodiversity Links
Access to WWW sites that provide information on genetic diversity, species diversity, ecological diversity, and geopolitical perspectives. From the National Biological Information Infrastructure.
Academic Info: Biodiversity
A partially annotated directory of Internet resources on biodiversity.
Canadian Biodiversity
Biological diversity: theory, patterns, ecological zones, species distributions, conservation issues, and legislation, with an emphasis on Canada. Bilingual: english/français.
What is Biodiversity?
An introduction to meanings associated with the term biodiversity.
Biodiversity Web
Personally maintained website with information and links about several aspects of biodiversity: biological, ecological, physical, chemical, social (e.g., population growth), economical and juridical. Some links in Dutch language or of particular relevance to Netherlands.
Biodiversity and Its Value: Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 1
Outlines what biodiversity is, and the three levels at which it is usually defined: genetic, species and ecosystem.
Biodiversity II: Understanding and Protecting Our Biological Resources
National Academy of Sciences report (1996) addresses new strategies and techniques for quantifying, understanding, and protecting biodiversity. Full text online.
Animal Info - Information on Rare, Threatened and Endangered Mammals
Biology, ecology, habitat, and status of rare, threatened and endangered species of mammals and information on their native countries: biodiversity, ecosystems, population, and land use.
Biodiversity in urban ecosystems
Links to sites about urban biodiversity.
Biodiversity Frequently Asked Questions
Presents answers to common questions about biodiversity.
Biodiversity and Protected Areas
Introductory documents on understanding and conserving biodiversity.
Biodiversity Theory
Overview of some theoretical basics of biodiversity.
Kind Planet Biodiversity
Introductory notes.
What is Biodiversity?
Different definitions used by resource managers and ecologists.
Introduction to Biodiversity Theory
Overview and definitions.
Biodiversity Economics
Explores the economic dimensions of the global biodiversity agenda as reflected in the work of IUCN and the various biodiversity conventions, notably the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Encyclopedia of Biodiversity
Online resource: major themes include evolution of biodiversity, systems for classifying and defining biodiversity, ecological patterns and theories, an assessment of contemporary patterns and trends, treaties and government legislation.
International Biodiversity Observation Year
Describes the need for an International Biodiversity Observation Year, events proposed, benefits anticipated.
Resources for the Future Library: Biodiversity
Research papers (PDF files) and project summaries related to economic and policy aspects of biodiversity protection. Topics include ecosystem valuation, endangered species laws, and habitat conservation.
Mass Extinction Underway
Links to articles on biodiversity and species extinction.
Biodiversity Series
Full text online of UNEP-WCMC series of project results.
Industrial Reliance on Biodiversity
Provides an overview of the extent to which industry in the developed world relies on the biodiversity of the developing world. (FTP site).
Fauna and Flora International
Supports international conservation activities. Documents on methodology, working with NGOs, governments, communities; news, publications, photo gallery.
Biodiversity Resource Center
A branch library of the California Academy of Sciences specializing in information on biodiversity. Bibiographies, links to news and educator resources.
Species 2000
Project to provide indexing and links for all known species as the baseline dataset for studies of global biodiversity.
All Species Foundation
A non-profit organization with the goal of recording a complete inventory of all species on Earth within 25 years.
Biodiversity Hotspots
Comprehensive information on 25 of the world's biologically richest and most threatened ecosystems.
World Atlas of Biodiversity
Interactive maps of biodiversity and human impacts from the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
Biodiversity Fact Sheet
What is biodiversity, what threatens it, why is it important, and what are ecologists doing to better understand it? From Ecological Society of America. [PDF file]
Global Biodiversity Back Issues
The Canadian Museum of Nature's quarterly magazine. Covered Canadian and international biodiversity news in science, politics, education, community and individual initiatives between 1991 and 1999.
DIVERSITAS Programme
International collaborative project with the goal of providing accurate scientific information and predictive models of the status of biodiversity and sustainability of the use of the Earth's biotic resources, and to build a world-wide capacity for the science of biodiversity.

sub categories in Biodiversity

Agricultural Agricultural
Conservation Conservation
Ecosystem Biodiversity Ecosystem Biodiversity
Evaluation and Monitoring Evaluation and Monitoring
Informatics Informatics
Invasive Species Invasive Species
Organizations Organizations
Research Centers Research Centers
Conferences Conferences
Consultants Consultants
Education Education
Genetic Resources Genetic Resources
International Conventions International Conventions
Online Texts Online Texts
Regional Regional

cross references

Science : Biology : Bioinformatics Science : Biology : Bioinformatics
Science : Biology : Botany Science : Biology : Botany
Science : Biology : Ecology Science : Biology : Ecology
Science : Biology : Ecology : Wildlife Ecology and Management Science : Biology : Ecology : Wildlife Ecology and Management
Science : Biology : Flora and Fauna Science : Biology : Flora and Fauna
Science : Biology : Genetics Science : Biology : Genetics
Science : Biology : Taxonomy Science : Biology : Taxonomy
Science : Biology : Zoology Science : Biology : Zoology
Society : Issues : Environment Society : Issues : Environment
Society : Issues : Environment : Conservation and Endangered Species Society : Issues : Environment : Conservation and Endangered Species
Society : Issues : Environment : Sustainable Development Society : Issues : Environment : Sustainable Development

other references

Home : Gardens : Associations : Wildflowers and Natives Home : Gardens : Associations : Wildflowers and Natives
Science : Biology : Ecology : Biogeography Science : Biology : Ecology : Biogeography
Science : Earth Sciences : Paleontology : Extinction Science : Earth Sciences : Paleontology : Extinction
Society : Issues : Environment : Conservation and Endangered Species : Sustainable Use Society : Issues : Environment : Conservation and Endangered Species : Sustainable Use
Society : Issues : Environment : Conservation and Endangered Species : Trade in Wildlife and Plants Society : Issues : Environment : Conservation and Endangered Species : Trade in Wildlife and Plants

this category in other languages

Biodiversitat Catalan : Biodiversitat
Biodiversité French : Biodiversité
Biodiversität German : Biodiversität
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