# biodiversity

/ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɝsəti/ (US) · /bˌaɪəʊdaɪvˈɜːsɪti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/biodiversity
Updated: 2026-09-29

## Definition

the variety of all the different kinds of plants and animals that live in a particular area. A place with high biodiversity is healthy because it has many different types of life.

For teachers: the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Often used to measure the health and resilience of a biological environment.

## Examples

- The rainforest is famous for its incredible biodiversity.
- Conservationists are working to protect the local wetlands to ensure that the area's biodiversity is not lost to urban development.
- The rapid decline in global biodiversity poses a significant threat to food security, as the loss of wild pollinators and genetic variety makes crops more vulnerable to disease.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the phrase 'loss of biodiversity' or 'protecting biodiversity'.

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