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Biodiversity

About This Collection

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is necessary for life to thrive on Earth.

Aldo Leopold, one of the great thinkers of conservation, observed more than half a century ago the importance of protecting species. "To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering," he wrote. Losing species is like throwing away one by one the engine parts of an airplane while flying.

Biodiversity is a major initiative of Conservation International.

Biodiversity conservation provides substantial benefits to meet immediate human needs, such as those for clean, consistent water flows; protection from floods and storms; and a stable climate. 

Curated by mokiethecat

Feather Stars Freestyle Into the Hearts of Nautilus Live Scientists
August 23, 2023

Rare feather stars were filmed south of Johnston Atoll in the Central Pacific during a 2022 NOAA-funded expedition. Learn more about the expedition: https://nautiluslive.org/cruise/na141

This video, featured in the Endangered Earth Online newsletter, showcased new-to-science species, including the Antarctic strawberry feather star. These free-swimming crinoids, related to starfish and sea cucumbers, are named for their fruit-like body shape beneath 20 rhythmic arms. See pictures and read more: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/publications/earthonline/endangered-earth-online-no1207.html