The variation in life on Earth reflected at all levels from various ecosystems and species to the genetic variation within a species.

In an environments created solely by nature, there is a variety of plant and animal life, ranging from the very small to the very large. Nature has created a natural system for post and disease control. However, when we only incorporate limited variety in our landscapes, the system of checks and balances breaks down. In general, the more diverse we can make our gardens, the healthier they will be.

the sum of all the plants, animals and other organisms living on Earth.

A collective term used to denote the variety and variability in nature. It encompasses three basic levels of organization in living systems: the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

Convention on Biological Diversity

A term referring to the number, variety and variability of living organisms. It is commonly defined in terms of genes, species and ecosystems, corresponding to three fundamental levels of biological organization. (Source: United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility, Glossary of Terms)

the variety of plant and animal species found in a given area. In general, the more species that are found in an environment, the healthier it is.

The genetic diversity of natural organisms. Collections of millions of microbial genomes harvested from global ecosystems are the starting point for developing new processes and molecules.

No concensus or singular definition exists but it is included within more than 20 laws and regulations. It has various denotations and connotations. Its use is usually limited to animals, though plants and intermediate forms are "life". Microscopic forms are usually excluded and insects are rarely included. Distributions of faunalmass and phytomass have been implied by some workers. Most texts use species richness (the count and list of species) as a synonym. Some use indices of proportionate occurrence or rareness (Shannon and related indices) as a specific meaning. Whether constant abundance of plants (or animals) over many years (great evenness) is desirable or required by the definition is debated. Rapidly changing modern taxonomy, inclusion of migrants, sampling intensities, descriptions of patterns occupied in nature, appropriate levels of statistical confidence, and even the categories of life to be included are also debated and thus collectively result in a general word almost without meaning.

(Biological diversity) – the variety of life forms at the level of ecosystems, species, and gene pools

the entire variety of life on earth

A variety of different species, genetic variability among individuals with in each species, and variety of ecosystems

The variety of plants and animals that exist in nature

The variety of genes, organisms and ecosystems.

The number of different species that exist at a given time.

The level of abundance of life forms co-existing in a given environment.

The range of soils, climate, water, plants and animals that make up the worlds of life and landscape.

The variety of living organisms considered at all levels, from genetics through species, to higher taxonomic levels, and including the variety of habitats and ecosystems.

The variety of life and its processes, including living organisms, their genetic diversity, and habitats and ecosystems in which they occur. For the purposes of this website, biodiversity refers primarily to native species and natural ecological processes.

Short for biological diversity, means the diversity of species, the diversity of the habitats in which they live, and genetic diversity within species.

The variety of forms - the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they form a part

Refers to the variety of life on earth: the number of plants and animals and other organisms that exist on our planet and the variety within these species and the ecosystems they inhabit.

the variety of life on Earth, reflected in the variety of ecosystems and species, their processes and interactions and the genetic variation within and among species.

The variety of all biological life (plants, animals, insects, fish, birds, invertebrates and micro-organisms), the genes they contain and the ecosystems and habitats in which they live.

The variety of life forms – plants, animals and micro-organisms, their habitats and the ecosystems on which they depend – that make up biological diversity of an environment.

The variety of life in all its forms and the processes that link them.

We think we have followed the definition used in the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy but inter alia aren't certain that Strategy truly embraces imported biodiversity. In our case we have considered all living things that are here to constitute our biodiversity regardless of when, or how, they got here. We have regarded indigenous (or baseline) biodiversity as anything here before Cook commenced his biological colonisation programme, in 1769.

The range of plant and animal species and communities associated with terrestrial, aquatic and marine habitats.

the variety of biological life on Earth or within a region

Biodiversity is the term used to describe the existence of a wide variety of species in a particular area or during a specific period of time.

Biodiversity means that there are many different types of species and that there is large-scale genetic variation within each of them.

This means the variety of life on earth and is short for biological diversity.

In general, the variety and variation among plants, animals, and microorganisms, and among their ecosystems. It has 3 levels: ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic (within species) diversity. The concept of maintaining biodiversity holds that civilization should preserve the greatest possible number of existing species so that a highly diverse genetic pool, which can be tapped for useful and beneficial characteristics, will be available into the future. Genetic diversity provides resources for genetic resistance to pests and diseases. In agriculture, biodiversity is a production system characterized by the presence of multiple plant and/or animal species, as contrasted with the genetic specialization of monoculture.

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is generally accepted to include genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and a full range of biological community types. The concept is that a landscape is healthy when it includes stable populations of native species that are well distributed across the landscape.

two kinds: species and genetic diversity, species diversity refers to the differences between species, while genetic diversity refers to differences within species

Biological diversity relating to all life forms.

The variability of genetic resources, species, ecosystems and landscapes

the variety of living things - the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form

the presence of many species of organisms, plant and animal.

the total variety of all living things on the planet Any major loss of habitat is a threat to the biodiversity of the earth.

The variety of life in all forms, levels and combinations. The term biodiversity includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

The coexistence of different species and life forms in a habitat, each occupying its own niche, while forming an interdependent food web, and recycling biological wastes. Ecosystems are robust when their biodiversity is high.

The number and variety of different organisms in the ecological complexes in which they naturally occur; encompasses the different ecosystems, species and genes needed for a healthy environment.

The variability among living organisms; this includes diversity within species (genetic diversity), between species and of ecosystems.

The variety of life, including the variety in genes, species, and ecosystems, and the ecological processes that connect everything within a common environment.

The variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. Diversity can be defined as the number of different items and their relative frequencies. The term encompasses three basic levels of biodiversity: ecosystems, species, and genes.

Pertaining to the diversity and frequency of organisms in a given area.

Number and variety of living organisms; includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecological diversity.

The variety of life on earth embracing all species, communities, habitats and ecosystems associated with the terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments.

variety, complexity and relative abundance of species (plant and animal) present and interacting in an ecosystem.

The total variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of genes, species and ecosystems.

the number and variety of living things in the world or the area being studied.

(also known as biological diversity) The variety of living organisms. Biodiversity encompasses variation at all levels, from the genetic diversity within a species to the variation between higher level evolutionary groupings such as families and classes. It also includes the variety of ecosystems, habitats and the natural interactions of species in the wild.

the maintenance of many different interrelated species in an ecological community.

The tendency in ecosystems, when undisturbed, to have a great variety of species forming a complex web of interactions.

the array, or wealth, of species on the planet

a variety of wildlife in an area

the presence of multiple species, so as to balance the needs of all species.

Biodiversity has been seen as the total (and irreducible) complexity of all life, including not only the great variety of organisms but also their varying behaviour and interactions. More definitions

The variety of plant and animal life. Also known as biological diversity, is an umbrella term used to describe the number, variety and variability of living organisms in a given assemblage. Biodiversity may be described in terms of genes, species and ecosystems, relating to the three fundamental and hierarchically related levels of biological organization. It therefore embraces the whole of ‘Life on Earth’. Declines in biodiversity include all those changes, which will reduce or simplify biological heterogeneity, from individuals or regions.

(See BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY).

the range of plants and animals in an ecosystem or community.

The total variety of life includes both species and habitats.

The species number, variety, and essential interdependence of all living things. Includes the number and variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them, the communities and ecosystems in which they occur, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that keep them functioning.

The full range of natural variety and variability within and among living organisms, and the ecological and environmental complexes in which they occur. It encompasses multiple levels of organization, including genes, species, communities and ecosystems.

the number and variety of organisms living within a specified geographic area

A measurement of the number of species and the variety of life and its processes in an area.

Advances in genetic engineering have opened up uncharted ethical territory, posing quandaries and dilemmas that could not even have been conceived before. The patenting of genes and the harvesting and exploitation of genetic material, already begun, will surely be accelerated in the near term as the promise of new therapeutic and pharmaceutical possibilities attracts investment and industry. One concern is that industry, with its emphasis on sure returns, will promote an undue and unhealthy uniformity in the life it seeks to harness. The dangers of such a course have already been suggested by genetic engineering's application to agriculture; we can so far only imagine what it would entail in its application to humanity. Thus, we might find it practical, if not obligatory, to protect the diversity of life. [See Case Studies related to Biodiversity

the variety of life. Biodiversity can be considered at many levels such as the gene, species, population, community, and habitat levels.

the variety and variability of life forms on earth, both wild and domesticated; derived from the words biological diversity.

A general, all inclusive term – a contraction of biological and diversity- often used to describe biotic pieces: the number, variety and variability of plants, animals (species/genes), and ecological communities (ecosystems).

Many species or types.

the number of different plants and animals that live in a specific area

Biological diversity is the variety of all life forms -the plants, animals and micro-organisms - their genes and the ecosystems they inhabit.

A measure of the distinct characteristics, qualities, or elements of plant and animal life in a defined area; a measure of biological differences.

the variety of species that make up a community; refers to the species richness (the total number of different species) and relative abundance of the different species.

Variability among living organisms from all sources including inter alia terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Convention on Biodiversity, 1992).

the variety of all of the organisms which make up the communities within particular habitats and the physical condition under which they exist.

Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth measured in terms of the variety within species (genetic diversity), the variety between species and the variety of ecosystems.

The rich variety of plants and animals that live in their own environment. Fynbos is a good example of rich biodiversity in the Cape.

This is derived from the term "biological diversity" and refers to the whole range of living organisms, or the variety of life forms.

Derived from the term “biological diversity”. 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.

a broad term used to describe the total number of species in an ecosystem, as compared to the total number of individuals. Scientists report on the number of species in the natural world, and they refer to this as the biodiversity of their study area. There are a variety of complex technical definitions of biodiversity.

diversity of all living organisms.

the total number of genes, species and ecosystems found on earth.

is short for biological diversity and means the variety of life forms on earth.

indicated by the numbers of different species of plants and animals found in a natural environment. Many different species of plants and animals within an ecosystem is indicative of a healthy environment.

the variability among living organisms from all sources, including, among other things, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part.

the total diversity of life on the planet including species, varieties within species, and the ecosystems they form part of.

Biodiversity refers to the number of species of plants and animals in a defined area. Biodiversity is measured by a variety of indices that consider the number of species and, in some cases, the distribution of individuals among species.

Biological diversity – the variety of life at all levels, including species, genes and ecosystems

Ecological diversity, and the diversity of native and endemic species in all their variability of subspecies, races, geographically distinct populations, and genetic diversity in general.

All living organisms, their genetic material, and their ecosystems. Biodiversity encompasses genetic, specific, and ecosystem diversity (Posey and Dutfield 1996).

The variety of genes within an animal or plant species, the variety of species in a region, and the variety of ecosystems or habitats within a region

A measure of the number and variety of different organisms in ecosystems, which may be used to identify the ecosystem's health.

Variability of living organisms and the ecosystems and biological communities of which they are part. This includes genetic and morphological diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity has increased over geological time and is essential to the survival life on Earth. Diversity supplies variation needed for adaptation and survival and continued evolution of species. Definition link: What is biodiversity

The variety of life. It includes the different plants, animals and micro- organisms, and the habitats in which they live.

bi-o-di-VER-city The spectrum of different life-forms. 12

the diversity or numbers of distinct kinds of living things

The total variety of organisms occurring within a given area

The sum of all species of animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms. The total biodiversity of a region is generally unknown, and is commonly expressed simply as the number of animal and/or plant species known to occur in the region.

the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the genetic diversity within a species, the variety of the species themselves, and the varieties of ecosystems. The greater the diversity or variety there is in a system, the greater the strength and stability the system has over the long run; diversity strengthens the potential of a population to cope with, or respond to, changes in the environment.

Français] The collection of life on earth and the natural patterns that form from all the species of life and the genes that each of them possess, as well as their interaction with one another or the ecosystems which these species form.

or Biological Diversity)—the variety of species, their genetic make-up, and the natural communities which they compose. All the different kinds of organisms living in an area.

A shortening of the term "biological diversity." The diversity of life on Earth. The variability among living organisms and their interactions, both within species and between species, between ecosystems and across landscapes.

All living things on Earth (plants, animals and micro-organisms), and the differences that make each species unique.

The different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they are a part. The concept of biodiversity emphasises the inter-relatedness of the biological world, and encompasses the terrestrial, marine, and aquatic environments

The variability of all living things (plants, animals, and microbes) including variation within species, between species and ecosystems.

The number of different kinds of living things in an area. The more variety among the different kinds of living things, the higher the diversity.

biological diversity or the variety of life forms, comprising genetic diversity (within species), species diversity and ecosystems diversity.

All living things found in an ecosystem.

The number and variety of plants, animals and other organisms that exist in nature.

The range of variation among all living organisms. Includes 3 components: genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity.

biological diversity refers to all forms of life, including all species and genetic variants within species and all ecosystems that contain and sustain those diverse forms of life

The existence of a wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms in a natural community or habitat.

the total range of species living in an area

The variety and variability of liv...

The variety of life forms around us. The term covers all lifeforms, from mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians to plants, fungi and micro-organisms including bacteria and viruses.

The variety of life forms, plants, animals and micro-organisms; the genes they contain; the ecosystems they form; and ecosystem processes.

A measure of the variety of life, biodiversity is often described on three levels. Ecosystem diversity describes the variety of habitats present; species diversity is a measure of the number of species and the number of individuals of each species present; genetic diversity refers to the number of alleles of the genes within a species.

The diversity, or variety, of plants, animals and other living things in a particular area or region. It encompasses habitat diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. Biodiversity is of value in its own right and has social and economic value for human society.

the variety of life in an area, including the number of different species, the genetic wealth within each species, and the natural areas where they are found.

Biodiversity is an abbreviation of "biological diversity" and means the variability among living organisms from all sources, including land-based and aquatic ecosystems, and the ecosystems of which they are part. These include diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

the variety of all living things, or the total variety of life on Earth. It includes all plants and animals, their genetic diversity, habitats, eco-systems and humans.

Biological diversity is the variety of living things and can be used as a key measure of sustainability.

The number of different species of organisms in a particular environment. See species richness.

refers to the range of different plant and/or animal species in an area

The range of living things in their natural environments.

The variety of plants, animals and microscopic organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems that they are part of

the diversity of plants, animals, and other living organisms in all their forms and levels of organization, including genes, species, ecosystems, and the evolutionary and functional processes that link them. (2)

the variety of life on our planet, measurable as the variety within species, between species, and the variety of ecosystems

The natural diversity present in nature

Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the term that describes the richness and variety of all living things in the world.

The range of organisms present in an ecosystem. Biodiversity can be measured by the numbers and types of different species, or the genetic variations within and between species.

species richness both of flora and fauna

The full range of living organisms that inhabit a particular ecosystem.

the rich diversity of genes, species and ecosystems that exist on Earth

The variety and abundance of life forms, processes, functions, and structures of plants, animals, and other living organisms, including the relative complexity of species, communities, gene pools, and ecosystems at spatial scales that range from local through regional to global (SAF)

Refers to variety of organisms, their genetic information and the biological communties where they live.

The variety of plants, animals, and ecosystems in the world. For a more detailed look at this topic, click here.

The variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations. Includes ecosystem, species and genetic diversity.

Variety in the living things in a particular area.

(or biological diversity) generally, the variety of life and its interrelated processes

Variety and number of different species living in an ecosystem or a defined geographic area.

the wide diversity and interrelatedness of earth organisms based on genetic and environmental factors, the variety of flora and fauna in the natural environment

The variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region.

The diversity of living organisms in any one place --whether in a handful of soil, the garden, the region, or the planet. Species richness contributes heavily to a healthy environment on every level, creating balance through an elegant distribution of the work of the planet. Diversity helps to insure that a single pest, event, or disease doesn't cause irreparable damage to an entire ecosystem. In the same way, growing a variety of crops while supporting a diverse community of organisms will help insure you a successful harvest year after year.

The genetic, species, and ecological richness of the organisms in a given area.

used to describe the variety of life (called biota) on Earth

Is the variety of life that exists on the planet. From whales to wildflowers, magpies to microbes this biological web has evolved over hundreds of millions of years.

the variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes (ecosystems) of which they are a part.

The variety of flora and fauna in a given ecosystem; there are four levels of biodiversity: genetic, population, community, and landscape ecology; biodiversity depends on the variety of native habitats and the integrity of their landscape linkages; agrobiodiversity - the variety of domesticated and wild plants and animals present in a given farming system and their habitat and ecological contexts.

The variety of ecosystems and species of plants and animals that can be found in the environment

The range of plants and animals, and the habitat that they live in.

Large variety of different species represented in a certain area

biological diversity; variety among living organisms—including genetic diversity, diversity within and between species, and diversity within ecosystems (see also ecosystem).

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of all life-forms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Biodiversity is generally considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It is sometimes considered at the landscape diversity level.

Often defined as "the variety and variability of life" in an area or "the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems".

the number of different species or functional groups of flora and fauna found in an area or ecosystem

The variety and interdependence of all living things. Biodiversity includes all living organisms, the genetic differences among them, the communities, cultures, habitats and ecosystems in which they evolve and coexist, and the ecological and evolutionary processes that support them.

the entire variety of life on this planet. Bio is short for biological which means life and diversity means variety.

1.  The variety of species (species diversity) or other taxa of animals, micro-organisms and plants in a natural community or habitat, or of communities in a particular environment (ecological diversity), or of genetic variation in a species (genetic diversity, q.v.). The maintenance of a high level of biodiversity is important for the stability of ecosystems. The variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations, encompassing genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. cf  agrobiodiversity (Source: FAO, 1999)

the entire spectrum of plants, animals and other life forms, and their associated environments

variability among living organisms from all sources (including terrestrial, marine and other ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part) and includes: diversity within species and between species and diversity of ecosystems

The variety of life and its processes, including the variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them, and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur.

The number, variety and genetic variability of organisms found within a specified area.

The number and variety of all living things.

The number and variety of living organisms on Earth. Biodiversity is characterized by species richness, ecosystem complexity and genetic variation.

This term refers to a measurement of the number of species in a given area. Sometimes this is a general measurement in terms of all species, whereas other times it is focused on a particular group of organisms, such as plants. One example could include just butterflies: since 5% of the world's butterflies are found in Costa Rica, it could be said that the country has a very high biodiversity of butterfly species.

All of the world's various animals, plants, and microorganisms and their habitats and ecosystems.

Refers to the variety of ecosystems and animal, bird, fish and plant species.

biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals

The number and variety of organisms within one region. This includes also the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems.

totality of genes, species and ecosystems in a region.

Derived from "bio" which means "life" and diversity meaning "variety." Biodiversity is the variety of all life on earth. Variety is considered in terms of three levels: genetics, species and ecosystems. Biodiversity is a good indicator of ecosystem health.

Short for biological diversity. The number of different kinds of plants and animals in a specific area.

refers to the total number of biological species in a particular area.

The variety and abundance of species, their genetic composition, and the natural communities, ecosystem, and landscapes in which they occur.

The variety of life forms: different species of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.

Refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. Diversity can be defined as the number of different items and their relative frequencies. For biological diversity, these items are organized at many levels, ranging from complete ecosystems to the biochemical structures that are the molecular basis of heredity. Thus, the term encompasses different ecosystems, species, and genes.

Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the variability among living organisms, including genetic and structural differences, between individuals and within and between species. And, it is the different Ecosystem in which they live and of which they are part. In terms of plant diversity, the general rule is that the warmer and wetter the climate, the greater the diversity. It is not surprising, therefore, that no less than 13,500 plant species and about 1100 terrestrial vertebrates (and probably tens of thousands of uncounted invertebrates) are found in the Philippines. See Genes.

the variety of life on Earth and the interconnections among living things

A measure of the variety of life. It is usually calculated from the number of species of organisms – although genera, families, classes and phyla can all be counted too.

This term is derived from 'biological diversity', and simply means the variety of life and great richness of living things in the natural world.

the person who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the land. The variety of life around us — life of all kinds from the largest animal to the smallest plant

The variety of life and its processes. Biodiversity includes all life forms, from one-celled fungi, protozoa and bacteria to complex organisms such as plants, insects, fishes and mammals. It includes processes, pathways and cycles that link living organisms into populations, ecosystems and landscapes. This variety of life is dynamic and constantly changing and evolving. It is sensitive to perturbations that may result from human activity. Biodiversity is generally recognized on three levels: genetic diversity - the variety of genetic building blocks found among individual representatives of a species; species diversity - the variety of living organisms found in a particular place; and ecosystem diversity - the variety of species and ecological functions and processes, both their kind and number, that occur in different physical settings.

The number and variety of species in a region. A diverse habitat is more healthy and can support more organisms than one that has been taken over by an invasive species.

The sum of life and its processes including the variety of living plants, animals and other organisms, the communities and ecosystems in which they occur, and the ecological and evolutionary process that keep them functioning.

The variety of plants and animals in a particular area.

The relative abundance and variety of plant and animal species and ecosystems within particular habitats.

The existence of a wide range of different species in a given area or during a specific period of time.

Refers to the variety of life on 3 different levels: the variety of ecosystems (ecosystem diversity), the variety of species (species diversity) and the variety within species (genetic diversity). Biodiversité (diversité biologique)

The natural variety of life in all forms, levels, and combinations, together with the environmental conditions necessary for survival. Biodiversity includes: regional diversity, ecosystem diversity, species diversity, genetic diversity.

The variety and variability within and between living organisms from all sources, such as terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part.

the variety of life forms, the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.

Refers to the variety of life and its processes within a given area based, in particular, on the relative number of animal and plant species present in that area, on their distinctiveness or specificity, and on the relationships they have with the environments in which they live.

The variety of life and its process, including the variety in genes, species, ecosystems, and the ecological processes that connect everything in the ecosystem.

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, and micro-organisms) upon the earth and the interactions and ecosystems they form and are part of.

The Term Biodiversity was coined in 1985, (abbreviating 'biological diversity') and has been defined in many different ways. Holdgate (1991) regarded it as the ' Total sum of life's variety on Earth, expressed at the genetic, species and ecosystem level'

The diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. The range of species in a location.

The wide range of organisms—plants and animals—that exist within any given geographical region.

Variety of different species (species diversity), genetic variability among individuals within each species (genetic diversity), variety of ecosystems (ecological diversity), and functions such as energy flow and matter cycling needed for the survival of species and biological communities (functional diversity).

The range of life forms which constitute the living world, from microscopic organisms to the largest tree or animal, and the habitat and ecosystem in which they live.

the number (richness) and distribution (evenness) of species in an area.

the variety of different plant and animal species in an ecosystem

refers to the variety of species living in a specific area

The number of different species in a given habitat.

Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Biodiversity underpins the processes that make life possible.

the diversity of life in all its forms and all levels of organization (Hunter 1990:7); includes the genetic diversity within a species, the diversity of species within an ecosystem and the diversity of ecosystems within landscapes.

The total taxonomic, functional and genetic variety of life forms supported by an ecosystem.

a description of the variety, abundance and distribution of living organisms within a defined ecosystem or habitat.

Short for biological diversity. A broad term indicating the variety in organisms, characteristics of a population, species, genetic material, and habitats.

the variety of plants and animals, their genetic variability, and their interrelationships and ecological processes, and the communities and landscapes in which they exist.

The whole variety of life on Earth

The earth's vast array of plant and animal species. Many of the existing plant and animal species have yet to be fully studied and some scientists project that existing species may hold untapped medical or scientific potential. Industrialization and deforestation currently result in the loss and extinction of plant and animal species.

The variety of all life forms, comprising genetic diversity (within species), species diversity and ecosystem diversity.

The variety of individual organisms (genetic), species, and ecosystems.

the number and variety of different organisms in the particular ecological setting.

Jargon for biological diversity: the variety of life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain (Wilcox 1984 cited in Murphy 1988).

refers to the enormous variety of the natural world

The variety of life forms in a given area; can be categorized in terms of number of species, variety of plant and animal communities, genetic variability or some combination of these categories.

The variability among living organisms, including the terrestrial and marine ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. This includes diversity within species, among species and of ecosystems. See genetic diversity.

Biological diversity; the variety of living organisms, ecosystems and ecological processes.

The variety of different species, the genetic variability of each species, and the variety of different ecosystems that they form.

Biological diversity refers to the variety, distribution and abundance of different plants, animals and microorganisms in a natural community or habitat. Biodiversity also refers to the ecological functions performed by these organisms and to the genetic variability they contain. (, )

Variety and abundance of living organisms of all origins. This includes intra- species genetic diversity, inter-species diversity and diversity of ecosystems, whether land, aquatic or marine.

Full range of variety and variability within and among living organisms, their associations, and habitat-oriented ecological complexes. Term encompasses ecosystems, species, and landscape as well as intraspecific (genetic) levels of diversity (Fiedler and Jan 1992).

A term to describe living organisms from all systems, including terrestrial, marine and aquatic environments and the ecological complexes of which they are part.

A measure of the variety of plants and animals in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

the variety and variability of living organisms and the ecosystems in which they occur. Biodiversity includes the number of different items and their relative frequencies; these items are organized at many levels, ranging from complete ecosystems to the biochemical structures that are the molecular basis of heredity. Thus, biodiversity encompasses expressions of the relative abundances of different ecosystems, species, and genes.

Biological diversity; can be measured in terms of genetic, species, or ecosystem diversity.

The number and kinds of Earth's organisms. We don't know how many species there are, or how fast they are disappearing (p.148-149).

the relationship between the number of species present in an area and the number of individuals within each of those species.

The number of different kinds of plant and animal species that live in a region. On land, tropical rain forests have the highest biodiversity.

the variety of life, from genes and species to communities, ecosystems, functions, and processes

The diversity of different species ( species diversity), genetic variability among individuals within each species ( genetic diversity), and variety of ecosystems ( ecosystem diversity). Abbreviation of biological diversity.

a large number and wide range of species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Ecologically, wide biodiversity is conducive to the development of all species.

Biodiversity is the variety of life forms on Earth. It includes genetic diversity and the concepts of species and ecosystem diversity as well as the ecological processes of which they are a part. The word 'biodiversity' is a contraction of 'biological diversity'.

The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the variations in their genes, and the complexity of their ecological conditions.

Biodiversity is defined simply as the variety of life, and it includes all the different habitats and species in the world.

Biodiversity is the abundance of different plant and animal species found in an environment.

The diversity of living things. This includes species diversity, diversity of distributions, and genetic diversity.

Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variation of taxonomic life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth. Biodiversity is often a measure of the health of biological systems to indicate the degree to which the aggregate of historical species are viable versus extinct.