Biodiversity Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌbaɪoʊˈdʌɪvərˌsɪti/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The variety of different plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole, and the interactions between them.

Examples

• The diverse ecosystem of the rainforest is home to numerous species of plants and animals.
• The biodiversity of the coral reef is threatened by climate change.

Synonyms

• Species richness
• Ecosystem diversity

Antonyms

• Homogeneity
• Extinction

Etymology

The word “biodiversity” was first used in the 1980s, derived from the words “biological” and “diversity”.

Additional Information

Biodiversity is essential for the health of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services. It is also important for maintaining the resilience of ecosystems to adapt to environmental changes. Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change are major threats to biodiversity.

Usage Notes

Biodiversity can be used in a variety of contexts, including ecology, conservation, and environmental science.

Cultural References

Biodiversity has been referenced in various TV shows and movies, such as “The Simpsons” and “Avatar”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Biodiversity hotspot” refers to an area with a high concentration of endemic and threatened species.

Collocations

Biodiversity loss, biodiversity conservation, biodiversity hotspots

Frequency of Use

Biodiversity is a relatively new word, but its usage has increased significantly in recent years due to growing awareness of environmental issues.

Common Misspellings

Biodivserity, Biodiveristy, Bio diversity