Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life found in the natural environment. It includes the diversity of species (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) as well as the variety of genetic material within each species and the range of ecosystems that these species occupy. Biodiversity plays a critical role in maintaining the health and functioning of our planet. It supports ecosystems and the services they provide, such as clean water and air, pollination of crops, soils and nutrient cycling, which are important to our food security, health and livelihoods. Biodiversity is also essential for our economic well-being, as it provides us with resources for food, energy, medicine, clothing and shelter. As climate change, land-use change and other human-induced pressures continue to increase, the importance of biodiversity is becoming increasingly clear. Conserving biodiversity is essential to protect our essential life-support systems and to ensure a sustainable future.