What is biodiversity research?

What is biodiversity research?

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research Group studies the structure, function and change of terrestrial ecosystems by using plants, vegetation and soil as integrative key features in landscape ecology.

What is the importance of biodiversity to researchers?

Increase ecosystem productivity; each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to play. Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops. Protect freshwater resources. Promote soils formation and protection.

What biodiversity means?

Biodiversity is defined as “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” The importance of this definition …

What is biodiversity and types?

Biodiversity includes three main types: diversity within species (genetic diversity), between species (species diversity) and between ecosystems (ecosystem diversity).

What is biodiversity made of?

Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.

What are the five threats to biodiversity?

Five main threats to biodiversity are commonly recognized in the programmes of work of the Convention: invasive alien species, climate change, nutrient loading and pollution, habitat change, and overexploitation.

What are the 3 major threats to biodiversity?

The three greatest proximate threats to biodiversity are habitat loss, overharvesting, and introduction of exotic species. The first two of these are a direct result of human population growth and resource use.

What is the biggest threat to biodiversity today?

Habitat loss is the single greatest threat to biodiversity on Earth today and in fact it is the second largest threat to our existence on this planet next to Climate Change.

How can we prevent biodiversity?

6 Ways to Preserve Biodiversity

1. Support local farms. Regularly buying from small local farmers at stands or markets helps to keep dollars in the local economy and supports agricultural efforts to conserve biodiversity.
2. Save the bees!
3. Plant local flowers, fruits and vegetables.
4. Take shorter showers!
5. Respect local habitats.
6. Know the source!

How is biodiversity being destroyed?

Scientists have called the degradation of Earth’s biodiversity in the modern era “biological annihilation” and the sixth extinction — and we caused it. Agriculture, commercial fishing, urbanization, man-made climate change, habitat destruction, pollution: We are the architects of unprecedented massacre.

What happens when biodiversity increases?

Greater biodiversity in ecosystems, species, and individuals leads to greater stability. For example, species with high genetic diversity and many populations that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions are more likely to be able to weather disturbances, disease, and climate change.

Can we survive without biodiversity?

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the scientific term for the variety of life on Earth. It’s that simple: we could not live without these “ecosystem services”. They are what we call our natural capital. Biodiversity is the key indicator of the health of an ecosystem.