Glossary
The English version of our glossary is currently under construction and will be regularly updated.
Biodiversity
Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the variety of species, to genetic peculiarities within species, and to the variety of biotic communities.
The variability found among lifeforms of all origins, e.g. from land-based, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and among the ecological complexes that they are part of. This includes diversity within a species, between different species, and between ecosystems. Biological diversity can be found throughout our planet. “Hot spots” with a particularly high density of different species, ecosystems and genetic diversity include parts of the tropics, oceans and forests. They are one of the most important bases of human life.