Biological Diversity, or biodiversity as it is usually called, refers to the complex relationship of all living species of a particular area. Members of this biological group include trees, bushes, plants, grasses, fungi, micro-organisms, as well as animals, birds, fish, insects and a multitude of other living things.
Biodiversity is not a simple concept to explain or comprehend because of the need to look at not only the individual species, but the systems needed for their survival as well as their individual effects on these systems. The biodiversity of the Chama River Canyon of Northern New Mexico is tremendously different from a forest area along the Amazon River. Neither site would be able to support the biodiversity of the other.
In attempting to understand the basics of Biodiversity, one needs to look at several factors, such as genetic structure and variation, nutritional requirements for healthy growth, reproduction, adaptation ability and response to environmental changes.
The conservation of biodiversity not only considers the basic needs of a given area, but also looks at how to continue and/or re-introduce native species needed to complete the native ecosystem structure and function of that specific area. One needs to look not only at individual species, but at the entire ecosystem of the area. Just as humans live in community and have need of multiple physical, emotional and mental abilities and materials to insure the survival of that community, so do our lands need multiple species and materials to insure their healthy survival.
Biodiversity is not a simple concept to explain or comprehend because of the need to look at not only the individual species, but the systems needed for their survival as well as their individual effects on these systems. The biodiversity of the Chama River Canyon of Northern New Mexico is tremendously different from a forest area along the Amazon River. Neither site would be able to support the biodiversity of the other.
In attempting to understand the basics of Biodiversity, one needs to look at several factors, such as genetic structure and variation, nutritional requirements for healthy growth, reproduction, adaptation ability and response to environmental changes.
The conservation of biodiversity not only considers the basic needs of a given area, but also looks at how to continue and/or re-introduce native species needed to complete the native ecosystem structure and function of that specific area. One needs to look not only at individual species, but at the entire ecosystem of the area. Just as humans live in community and have need of multiple physical, emotional and mental abilities and materials to insure the survival of that community, so do our lands need multiple species and materials to insure their healthy survival.