Directory of Biodiversity Resources

Home > Science > Environment > Biodiversity

Biodiversity is not easily defined. Try What is Biodiversity? and Defining The 'B' Word for approaches with differing emphases. Below is a definition adapted from the World Resources Institute, World Conservation Union, and United Nations Environment Programme in Global Biodiversity Strategy 1992.

"Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region... Biodiversity can be divided into three hierarchical categories -- genes, species, and ecosystems -- that describe quite different aspects of living systems and that scientists measure in different ways.

Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species. This covers distinct populations of the same species (such as the thousands of traditional rice varieties in India) or genetic variation within a populations (high among Indian rhinos, and very low among cheetahs) ...

Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a region. Such diversity can be measured in many ways, and scientists have not settled on a single best method. The number of species in a region -- its species richness -- is one often- used measure, but a more precise measurement, taxonomic diversity, also considers the relationship of species to each other. For example, an island with two species of birds and one species of lizard has a greater taxonomic diversity than an island with three species of birds but no lizards ...

Ecosystem diversity is harder to measure than species or genetic diversity because the boundaries of communities -- associations of species -- and ecosystems are elusive. Nevertheless, as long as a consistent set of criteria is used to define communities and ecosystems, their numbers and distribution can be measured ..."

Resources related to biodiversity or conservation as an issue or a topic of debate belong primarily in the relevant subcategory of Society/Issues/Environment.

Related: (very comprehensive guide) Where should I submit my website about animals? Or, where will I find the animal topic I am looking for?

Subcategories

• Agricultural
• Biogeography
• Conferences
• Conservation
• Consultants
• Ecosystem Biodiversity
• Education
• Evaluation and Monitoring
• Extinction
• Genetic Resources
• Informatics
• International Conventions
• Invasive Species
• Native Plant Societies
• Organizations
• Publications
• Regional
• Research Groups and Centers
• Sustainable Use
• Trade in Wildlife and Plants

Resources in This Category

• Animal Info

  http://www.animalinfo.org/
  Biology, ecology, habitat, and status of rare, threatened and endangered species of mammals and information on their native countries: biodiversity, ecosystems, population, and land use.

• Biodiversity and Protected Areas

  http://biodiv.wri.org/
  Introductory documents on understanding and conserving biodiversity.

• Biodiversity Frequently Asked Questions

  http://www.biodiv.be/en/biodiversity/about_biodiv
  Presents answers to common questions about biodiversity.

• Biodiversity II: Understanding and Protecting Our Biological Resources

  http://books.nap.edu/catalog/4901.html
  National Academy of Sciences report (1996) addresses new strategies and techniques for quantifying, understanding, and protecting biodiversity. Full text online.

• Biodiversity Theory

  http://www.redpath-museum.mcgill.ca/Qbp/2.About%20Biodiversity/theory.html
  Overview of some theoretical basics of biodiversity.

• Biodiversity Web

  http://www.biodiversity.nl/
  Personally maintained website with information and links about several aspects of biodiversity: biological, ecological, physical, chemical, social (e.g., population growth), economical and juridical. Some links in Dutch language or of particular relevance to Netherlands.

• Canadian Biodiversity

  http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/
  Biological diversity: theory, patterns, ecological zones, species distributions, conservation issues, and legislation, with an emphasis on Canada. Bilingual: English/French.

• DIVERSITAS Programme

  http://www.diversitas-international.org/
  International collaborative project with the goal of providing accurate scientific information and predictive models of the status of biodiversity and sustainability of the use of the Earth's biotic resources, and to build a world-wide capacity for the science of biodiversity.

• Fauna and Flora International

  http://www.fauna-flora.org/
  Supports international conservation activities. Documents on methodology, working with NGOs, governments, communities; news, publications, photo gallery.

• Introduction to Biodiversity Theory

  http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/theory/
  Overview and definitions.

• Mass Extinction Underway

  http://www.well.com/user/davidu/extinction.html
  Links to articles on biodiversity and species extinction.

• Species 2000

  http://www.sp2000.org/
  Project to provide indexing and links for all known species as the baseline dataset for studies of global biodiversity.

Related Categories

• Home > Science > Biology > Bioinformatics
• Home > Science > Biology > Botany
• Home > Science > Biology > Ecology
• Home > Science > Biology > Ecology > Wildlife Ecology and Management
• Home > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna
• Home > Science > Biology > Genetics
• Home > Science > Biology > Taxonomy
• Home > Science > Biology > Zoology
• Home > Society > Issues > Environment
• Home > Society > Issues > Environment > Conservation and Endangered Species
• Home > Society > Issues > Environment > Sustainable Development
• Home > Kids and Teens > School Time > Science > Environment > Biodiversity

Other Languages

• Catalan
• German
• French

 

Home > Science > Environment > Biodiversity

 

---

 

Thanks to DMOZ, which built a great web directory for nearly two decades and freely shared it with the web. About us