Home
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

How are butterflies surviving the massive Australian fires?
January 15, 2020

The question of how butterflies survive Australia's massive bushfires was answered in part by Julie Favell. Near Long Swamp in Lithgow, while putting out water for fire-affected wildlife, she witnessed common brown butterflies (Heteronympha merope) fluttering inside a moist wombat hole.

This observation suggests that natural underground shelters, offering damp and cooler conditions, provide vital refuge for some species during intense infernos.

Footage by Julie Favell.