Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms, from plants to animals to microorganisms, and the interactions among them. It also includes the genetic variation within a species and between species. Together, the biodiversity of ecosystems makes them functional and resilient against disturbance.

Human activities are putting biodiversity at risk. The natural world provides vital services like clean air and water, soil formation, climate regulation, pollination, and disease control.

Without healthy ecosystems, people will not be able to survive. The loss of biodiversity is a major concern worldwide. According to WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report, more than 1 million animal and plant species are lost each year. This is an unprecedented rate of extinction and threatens our very survival.

The key to a sustainable future is diversity. Ecosystems that lack biodiversity are often unstable and provide fewer benefits to humans. Commercial monocultures of a single crop or tree, for example, can be vulnerable to climate change and pests. In contrast, a rainforest’s ecosystem of orangutans, pygmy elephants, and clouded leopards is rich in biodiversity, and its many layers of vegetation and fungi function to protect the environment and support biodiversity above and below ground.

Similarly, biodiversity is the backbone of a healthy, sustainable food system. It supports natural pest control that allows farmers to grow crops without the need for chemical fertilizers. It also enables us to enjoy the pleasures of nature, from the ocean crossing songs of humpback whales to the intricate patterns of monarch butterflies’ multigenerational migration.