Biodiversity is a contraction of the phrase "biological diversity," and refers to the variability of life within a species (judged by the variations in its genetic makeup), an ecosystem, a region and even across the planet. The biodiversity of the Amazon, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, would include the terrestrial species found in the rainforest, the birds that fly in its skies and the aquatic creatures that swim in the Amazon River. But one could also examine the biodiversity of the Amazon River itself. Biodiversity varies widely across the globe, from places of high biodiversity, such as rainforests and coral reefs, and areas of lower biodiversity, such as agricultural fields. High biodiversity is often considered a sign of a healthy ecosystem, and many conservation efforts are aimed preserving biodiversity. Read below for stories on studies of biodiversity.
Latest about biodiversity
AI is rapidly identifying new species. Can we trust the results?
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way scientists monitor wildlife and find new species, but how effective are these new systems?
6 species that scientists got wrong
The definition of a species is surprisingly unsettled, and the classifications of some of the best-known animals have come under scrutiny.
What defines a species? Inside the fierce debate that's rocking biology to its core
The question of what defines a species has vexed scientists across the ages, particularly in conservation, where decisions require a firm understanding of biodiversity.
Mystery 'random event' killed off Earth's last woolly mammoths in Siberia, study claims
Woolly mammoths survived on Wrangel Island for 6,000 years after their mainland cousins had perished. A new genomic study has revealed that this final population likely died from a sudden, mysterious event.
Butterflies cross Atlantic ocean on 2,600-mile non-stop flight never recorded in any insect before
Painted lady butterflies discovered in French Guiana — thousands of miles from their usual habitats — got there through a Herculean transoceanic flight.
Newfound dinosaur with giant, horned headpiece named after iconic Norse god
A newly identified dinosaur with large, ornate horns on its massive head shield has been named after a famous Norse god who sported a similar headpiece in recent Marvel movies.
19 'mass extinctions' had CO2 levels we're now veering toward, study warns
The research looked at peaks in biodiversity loss and their relationship with atmospheric CO2, finding 50 events over the last 534 million years that can be considered mass extinctions.
Hidden 36 million-year-long cycles may fuel biodiversity on Earth, ancient rocks reveal
As tectonic plates clash and pull apart, sea levels change. This process has shaped marine biodiversity over time, a new study suggests.
