Understanding Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a collective term that refers to the variety of life on Earth in all its forms. The term includes different species of plants and animals, but the term encompasses more than that. It includes diversity within a respective species’ DNA, known as genetic diversity, as well as the diversity of habitats and biomes, such as grasslands, deserts, and rainforests. Biodiversity also includes the interactions between species within ecosystems.

All the facets that form biodiversity are the basis of so-called ecosystem’s services — processes and products — used by us humans.

Biodiversity is central to the production of food and medicinal products, for natural resources, like timber, water, soil and air, and many other benefits to society. Not least, biodiversity also helps temper heat and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Our planet’s ecosystems are supported by a fascinating and delicate network of life, which is still largely a mystery. Scientists still have not discovered all forms of life on the planet, and new species are discovered every year. 

The term biodiversity itself – a contraction of biological diversity— is not very old. It first arose in the mid-1980s through the work of Dr. Thomas Lovely and Dr. E.O. Wilson.

Each species on Earth has the potential to provide a unique set of solutions for various problems, including those we have not encountered yet.

One common example is antibiotics, which are based on natural products synthesised by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Microorganisms play an important role in drug discovery, and there is great potential for biodiversity to contribute to scientific breakthroughs in the future.

Climate change causes biodiversity loss, and biodiversity loss causes climate change. The two are interconnected and cannot be disentangled from one another. Fortunately, biodiversity can provide solutions and ecosystem services that help society adapt to climate change. For example, land and ocean ecosystems store massive amounts of carbon dioxide, absorbing 60% of human-caused emissions.

Scientists have reported a dangerous decline in biodiversity around the world: One million of the world’s estimated 8 million plant and animal species are currently threatened with extinction. Much of the decline is linked to human activities, such as agriculture, fisheries, and demand for natural resources, which are the pillars of functioning societies.

While it is unlikely that all adverse human effects on biodiversity can be stopped, knowledge can help us minimise and reshape these impacts in a more positive way. iDiv research informs the development of measures and strategies for protecting and restoring nature, and combatting the global biodiversity crisis.

With research-based decision-making, we can work to reduce the negative impact of human activities on biodiversity and secure humanity’s well-being.