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Biodiversity

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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

Behold Endangered Blanding's Turtle Hatchlings
July 22, 2020
Behold endangered Blanding's turtle hatchlings taking their first leaps, steps, and swims into the wild. These turtles can live as long 80 years, but predation, disease, habitat destruction and collection by humans have driven their population to the brink. In response to a 2011 petition by the Center, Blanding's turtles received protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In 2012 the Center and several renowned scientists and herpetologists, including E.O. Wilson and Thomas Lovejoy, filed a formal petition seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the Blanding's turtle and 52 other of the nation's most threatened amphibians and reptiles. Although these turtles aren't yet protected in the U.S. at the federal level, they are protected in several states under state laws.