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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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. )

Example Sentences

"Rather than viewing biodiversity as something to be eliminated, contemporary approaches recognize the vital role of diverse ecosystems in creating salutogenic, or health-promoting, environments."

From Science Daily

"We need to develop those upper layers of the scheme as quickly as possible," he said, pointing to the Welsh government's target to stop the loss of biodiversity by 2030.

From BBC

That is why the world's largest drainage basins host extraordinary biodiversity.

From Science Daily

“A standing dead tree is vastly more important to wildlife and biodiversity in the forest than a standing live tree of the same size,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

These events create "whale falls," which normally provide a sudden surge of food that supports rich biodiversity.

From Science Daily