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biodiversity

by-oh-dy-VER-suh-tee /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.daɪˈvɜːr.sə.ti/

nounB2IELTSTOEFLGRESAT

formalacademic

The total variety of living organisms, including species variation, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity within a given region.

Refers not merely to counting different species, but to the multi-tiered richness encompassing genetic codes, populations, and complex habitats.

The story behind the word. Coined in 1985 by sociobiologist E.O. Wilson and colleagues as a contracted form of 'biological diversity' during planning for the National Forum on BioDiversity. The word caught fire rapidly in public policy because it neatly captured the entire living fabric of Earth in six crisp syllables.

Word relationships

biological richness: Focuses on the sheer abundance of life forms rather than the technical three-tiered scientific structure.

monoculture: Refers to the cultivation or dominance of a single species across a given landscape.

Commonly confused with

ecosystem: An ecosystem is the physical community and its environment, whereas biodiversity is the measure of variety within that community.

Word family

biodiverse (adjective): Exhibiting high biological diversity.

Collocations

rich biodiversity
loss of biodiversity
preserve biodiversity
biodiversity hot spot

Example sentences

"Tropical rainforests harbor immense biodiversity, housing more than half of the world's terrestrial species." Environmental science textbook
"Protecting global biodiversity is essential for maintaining resilient ecosystems and human well-being." United Nations Environmental Policy

Memory hook

BIO (life) + DIVERSITY (variety) = the full variety pack of all living things. Life's full variety pack.

When not to use

Do not use to describe a simple variety of non-living objects, such as a wide range of products in a store.

Fun facts

The term was officially coined in 1985 as a shortcut during a scientific conference planning meeting.