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Welcome to Biodiversity Guide
Species Biodiversity Article
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Can Any Biodiversity Definition Really Cover The Topic
from:Biodiversity started out as a contraction of “biological” and “diversity”. It was coined in 1985, but has taken on its own meaning since then.
Scientists prefer using the broadest possible biodiversity definition, in order to not overlook any aspect of what is an exceedingly complex subject. However, one of the largest problems facing scientists, government agencies, end environmental groups is how exactly, to define “biodiversity”. Dictionaries are generally silent anything more than the most general outline of the subject, but most have some elements in common. Most take into account that a it must reference the number and variety of plants and animal species, and that these species occupy a particular geographic region. Some include the concept of the variability of those plants and species. One or two include the variability within and among ecosystems, as well as within and between living organisms.
One of the best biodiversity definitions we have found comes from The Center for International Environmental Law: “Biodiversity is the variability of all living organisms -- including animal and plant species -- of the genes of all these organisms, and of the terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of which they are part.”
Developing a biodiversity definition is problematic no matter who is doing it because biodiversity is a very broad topic and includes “everything”, making it very hard to exclude “anything”. For example, while every biodiversity definition includes plant and animal life, not all include the soil or water that sustains that life, although to be totally fair, most do so. Further, not every biodiversity definition includes human beings. Complicating the matter even more is the problem of whether a real, comprehensive biodiversity definition should include only those species that humans find useful, or all the given plant and animal species of an area.
With such differences, it is almost impossible to come to a conclusion about the meaning of the term, let alone the scope of the topic. Add in the differing agendas of all those who claim to be concerned about biodiversity, and those who claim to want to do something about it, and you have a situation more confusing than resolvable. Then add in those who insist that nothing can be done because there is no way biodiversity and progress can coexist. Clearly, if something cannot be defined easily and concisely, how can the issues presented by it be prioritized, let alone having resources allocated to resolve them?
Given the difficulties of establishing a unified, comprehensive biodiversity definition, the question is less which definition should prevail, but more what we do to preserve biodiversity.
Species Biodiversity Specific links
Species Biodiversity News
Top 10 New Species list includes sneezing monkey, blue tarantula and night ... - New York Daily News
 New York Daily News | Top 10 New Species list includes sneezing monkey, blue tarantula and night ... New York Daily News Arizona State University released its annual Top 10 New Species list on Wednesday. “We're trying to draw attention to diversity, trying to make people aware of how little we know about species,” Quentin Wheeler, director of ASU's International ... New species list draws attention to biosphere diversity Sneezing monkey, giant millipede make top new species list Top 10 list of new species |
Step Up Efforts to Protect Biodiversity - Molewa - AllAfrica.com
Step Up Efforts to Protect Biodiversity - Molewa AllAfrica.com "Our vast wealth of biodiversity - our variety of life from genes, species and ecosystems, offers us a suite of natural solutions in the face of unemployment, rising poverty and climate change," Molewa said on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch of the ... |
Overfishing will result in disappearance of fish species in 50 years: Official - The Hindu
 The Hindu | Overfishing will result in disappearance of fish species in 50 years: Official The Hindu Overfishing and exploitation of marine biodiversity would result in the disappearance of fish species in the next 50 years, warned MF Farooqui, Special Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, on Tuesday. Addressing a function organised in ... 'Marine biodiversity needs more attention' Losing Natural Biodiversity Could Cost Us the Earth Mass Extinctions in the Cards Absent Urgent Action |
Richer Parasite Diversity Helps Protect Frogs from Viruses That Cause ... - Science Daily (press release)
 The Epoch Times | Richer Parasite Diversity Helps Protect Frogs from Viruses That Cause ... Science Daily (press release) One surprising study finding was that under certain conditions, increases in parasite diversity could increase or decrease host disease. In that aspect of the study, the infection rates were dependent on the order in which the six parasite species were ... Want fewer frogs with extra legs? Add parasites Diverse Parasites Improve Health in Amphibians |
Students Return from Researching Biodiversity in Ecuador - High Point University (press release)
 High Point University (press release) | Students Return from Researching Biodiversity in Ecuador High Point University (press release) HIGH POINT, NC, May 23, 2012 - A group of High Point University students returned today from an international Maymester trip to Ecuador where they studied the biodiversity of plant, animal and bird species in the country throughout the month of May. |