Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term used to

describe the variety of life found on Earth and all of the natural
processes. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural diversity,
and the connections between these and all species.
The different aspects of biodiversity all have a very strong
influence on each other. We have only just started to understand
the relationships between living things and their environments.
It is helpful to think of an ecosystem as a woven carpet; if you
pull on a loose thread it might only affect the thread and those
closest to it or it might unravel the whole carpet.
Biodiversity also helps us in our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, the greenhouse gases
produced by human activities are building up in the atmosphere and causing climate change.
Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity.
Visit the sites below to learn more
About Biodiversity
Biodiversity: the rock on which you stand
Biodiversity 911: Saving Life on Earth
Boosting Biodiversity Can Boost Global Economy
Cultural Biodiversity: Protecting African biodiversity through cultural wisdom
Cultural diversity and biodiversity for sustainable development
Education and cultural biodiversity
Investigate Biodiversity
My Visit to an Organic Farm
Sustaining Life on Earth
What is Biodiversity?
What is Biodiversity? National Wildlife Federation

Climate change affects air and ocean temperatures, the length of

seasons, sea levels, the pattern of ocean and wind currents, levels
of precipitation, as well as other things. These changes affect the
habitats and behaviour of many different species. Many will not
be able to adapt fast enough and may become extinct.
There are many things that you can do to combat climate change.
Planting deciduous trees on the south side of your house or school will keep your
house/school cooler in the summer. They will help produce oxygen and remove carbon
dioxide. You can also encourage your friends and family to use public transit, carpool and
walk or bike when they can.

The diversity of species on Earth is incredible. Right now,

there are more than 1.7 million species that have been
discovered and named while scientists think that there are
millions more we dont know about. The different plants,
animals and other forms of life interact with each other in so
many ways that we are still figuring them out.
Over time, many species of plants and animals have evolved
to depend on one another. For example, some plants can only
be pollinated by a certain kind of bird or insect. In
relationships like these, if one species becomes extinct, the
other species could too.

The complex relationships between species are often disturbed when organisms are
transported to new places or a new element is introduced (for example, chemicals from
pesticides). This can be by accident or on purpose. Sometimes they compete with species that
are already there or they prey on them. It is also possible that they may have no effect on the
native species.
Here are a couple of tips
Never introduce an invasive plant species into an area
it does not naturally exist
Never release your exotic pets, including fish or turtles,
into the wild
Plant only native species
Avoid using pesticides or chemicals on your lawns
or in your garden.
Genetic Diversity
Genetics make individuals of the same species different from each
other. If you look at the hair colour of your friends or the different
colours of apples in the grocery store you can see the small
differences that genes make in members of the same species.
It is important for groups of plants and animals, including people, to
have genetic diversity. It allows groups to adapt to changes in their
environment. This could be something like an outbreak of disease or
a change in the climate.
A larger group has more genetic diversity. This group will be stronger and better able to adapt
to change.

Humans depend on biodiversity to provide us with food. Growing

the food that we eat depends on a number of different factors.
Traditional farming tries to use knowledge gained over hundreds
of years about the natural biodiversity of the land and then use this
information to decide what to grow. This involves considering
many different things, including crop rotation and diversity, farm
size and pest control.
The practice of changing the crops on a piece of land on a regular
basis, also known as crop rotation, is important to save or increase
the mineral content of the soil, increase crop yields, and get rid of
weeds, insects and plant diseases. For many years the practice also involved using chemical
fertilizers to promote plant growth and chemical pesticides to control pests that damage the
crop. Over time studies showed that the chemicals used in the fertilizers and pesticides
contaminated the plants being grown and thus the people and animals that ate them. The
chemicals were also found to seep into water tables, rivers and streams.

Today there is a growing movement to embrace organic farming. Organic farming is the
process of producing food naturally. This method avoids the use of synthetic chemical
fertilizers and genetically modified organisms to influence the growth of crops.
The main idea behind organic farming is 'zero impact' on the environment. In the end, the
food produced via organic farming is better for your health and the environment that makes it
possible.
Did you know?

Although some insects are considered pests, other insects such as bees and
butterflies are beneficial. These insects, along with bats and birds, pollinate 90% of all
flowering plants and about 75% of the worlds main types of crops.
Here are some tips for growing your own food

Rotate the vegetables you plant in the same container and it will work in a
similar way as crop rotation
Use organic fertilizers instead of chemicals to promote plant growth and
control pests

Buy local and organic food as much as possible. This reduces the pollution
produced by shipping food and encourages a reduction in the amount of
pesticides used.

Human activities are responsible for most of the loss in

biodiversity throughout the world. With an increasing
population, we are consuming more and more natural
resources.. We do this by driving more, using more energy
in our homes, and buying many more products than we
need.
This doesnt mean that all Canadians live this way though.
Many people work very hard to make changes to their lifestyles that lessen their
impact on the environment, which also helps preserve biodiversity.
Biodiversity is important since it provides us with raw materials that we use to make
products such as clothes, shoes and paper. And although we use many natural
products and materials in our daily lives, we also use many human-made chemicals-cleaners, fertilizers, bug spray, pesticides, and many others. Even though we use them

to help us, they have many side effects.

Toxins and pollution
are very harmful to biodiversity. The chemicals that we use end up in our waterways.
Plants and animals are killed by oil spills. Wildlife gets caught in plastic trash. You get
the idea!
There are many things that you can do to help. Start by asking yourself a few
questions about what you buy. Do you really need the item or just want it? Is the
product made using environment-friendly materials and processes? How far does the
product have to travel to get to me? What is the social and environmental reputation
of the company that makes the product? Is the product able to disposed of in a manner
that doesnt negatively impact the environment?
In the end it is up to us to make informed choices in our daily lives. Learn more!
Cultural Diversity
Cultures developed in part because people adapted to the environment where they
lived. This resulted in different languages, traditions, customs, knowledge and beliefs
that have been passed down through generations.

The environment influenced the development of cultures, and similarly our cultures
influenced the makeup of the local environment. For example, food is an important
part of culture. This affects the crops people grow, animals that they raise or hunt and
the waste products that they send back into the environment.

Throughout history, biodiversity has been very important in inspiring many cultural
traditions. This can be seen in the music, ceremonies, holidays, mythology and
decorations used by different cultures around the world. Protecting biodiversity helps
preserve many of these cultural traditions. Protecting cultural traditions helps protect
the natural biodiversity of the land the culture needs for survival.
Overexploitation

Many species from around the world are threatened because of over-exploitation. This
is when our use of that species or resource renders it near extinction.
Over-harvesting is a big problem with many of our natural resources. The harvesting
of forests and the extraction of oil and gas are examples of non-renewable resources
whose over-use has severely impacted local environments and biodiversity.
Over-exploitation is also a large problem for wildlife. Fish are a very good example of
this. Every year over 80 million fish are caught for human consumption. Sometimes
the way that the fishing is done destroys marine habitats and catches many other
marine animals by accident. These practices cause marine populations to shrink.

Species trade is a very big problem in many countries. Thousands of plants and
animals are taken from their natural habitats every day to be sold, traded or made into
various products, including gifts (ivory from elephant tusks, coral, sea turtle shells
and reptile skins are popular souvenirs that threaten species). Other products, like
traditional Chinese medicines, can also be made using threatened and endangered
animals. For example, tiger bone was often used to help relieve swelling and pain.
Animals are often traded as well. But its not just the large animals that are trapped
and traded. Insects like butterflies are also illegally traded.