Science glossary film: Biodiversity

The variation of life forms within an ecosystem or across the planet. This includes both the variety of different species and also the degree of variation within species. High biodiversity is thought to be important for healthy, stable ecosystems. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically richly biodiverse, whereas polar regions support fewer species.

This includes both the variety of different species and also the degree of variation within species. High biodiversity is thought to be important for healthy, stable ecosystems. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically richly biodiverse, whereas polar regions support fewer species.