biodiversity

American  

[bahy-oh-di-vur-si-tee, ‑dahy‑] / ˌbaɪ oʊ dɪˈvɜr sɪ ti, ‑daɪ‑ /

noun

1. biological diversity among and within plant and animal species in an environment.

   Coral reefs are not just havens for marine biodiversity, they also underpin the economies of many coastal communities.

   Spiraling extinctions will continue diminishing biodiversity for hundreds of years.

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biodiversity British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the existence of a wide variety of plant and animal species in their natural environments, which is the aim of conservationists concerned about the indiscriminate destruction of rainforests and other habitats

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biodiversity Scientific  

/ bī′ō-dĭ-vûr′sĭ-tē /

1. The number, variety, and genetic variation of different organisms found within a specified geographic region.

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biodiversity Cultural  

1. A term that describes the number of different species that live within a particular ecosystem.

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Discover More

The preservation of biodiversity is considered by environmentalists to be a major goal of environmental policy.

Etymology

Origin of biodiversity

An Americanism first recorded in 1985–90; bio(logical) ( def. ) + diversity ( def. )

Explanation

When you have a many different plants and animals living in one place, you have biodiversity. The Amazon rain forest is rich in biodiversity. Biodiversity is a shortened form of two words: biological diversity. Biological refers to the study of life forms; diversity means "many" and "different." Construction, pollution, and climate change threaten many different species of plants and animals — these developments threaten biodiversity. Scientists know that the earth's health is related to biodiversity, and one of the main missions of the environmental movement is preserving biodiversity.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biodiversity

Even small streams can feed a substantial wetland habitat that will then support an abundant array of biodiversity.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

"If we want global biodiversity targets to mean something, tropical insects cannot remain an afterthought," Dr. Chowdhury said.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

The frog lives in the forests of the Ecuadorian Chocó and southern Colombia, a region considered especially important for biodiversity conservation.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026

Sustainable Hatherleigh runs a range of projects to support the community, from leading bug hunts and encouraging wildflowers and biodiversity in the local graveyard to community composting and running a repair café.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

In this way I learned why some Amazonians have a jaundiced view of biodiversity.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann