What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is "The number of different species of organisms in a particular environment", from mammals and birds to bacteria, plants and fungi. It also refers to diversity at the level of genes, species and habitats and the finely balanced relationships that have evolved between them.

Why is it important?

Biodiversity is fundamental to the ecological services that all species, including humans, rely on for survival. Reducing biodiversity may affect our future supplies of food, water, wood and fibre, increase risks of flooding and climate change, and reduce our quality of life. >
Yet biodiversity has been declining at an increasing rate over the past century as a result of human impacts. The decline has proven almost as difficult to quantify accurately as it is to reverse.

Biodiversity management is a core element of the SRTP programme.

The "Biodiversity Guide" download (available from the downloads page) should help to explain what is meant by Biodiversity and biodiversity monitoring and how suppliers can approach the subject.