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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

That's Wild: The Birth of a Sperm Whale
September 20, 2023

Whale biologists have documented the first-ever sperm whale birth, a powerful event captured by Shane Gero and the Project CETI team in the Caribbean. Gero, who has studied this specific whale family for nearly 20 years, observed an unusual gathering of 11 female whales during the birth.

The newborn was kept safe on the family's backs and heads for hours. Audio data revealed the whales transitioned from quiet to simultaneously "talking" with morse-code-like clicks, suggesting a celebration. Gero remarked, "It's hard not to see it as a celebration."

Learn more about this whale birth: [National Geographic article](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/sperm-whale-birth-dominica). Featured in "That's Wild," Endangered Earth Online: [Endangered Earth Online article](https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/publications/earthonline/endangered-earth-online-no1211.html).