Biodiversity, considered as a biological process, encompasses the dynamic mechanisms that generate, maintain, and modify variation in genes, species, and ecosystems through time. It emerges from evolutionary processes such as mutation, recombination, natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, as well as ecological interactions including competition, predation, mutualism, and succession. These processes interact across spatial and temporal scales to structure community composition, regulate ecosystem functioning, and influence resilience to environmental change. Biodiversity dynamics are further shaped by speciation and extinction processes, dispersal, landscape connectivity, and anthropogenic drivers that alter selective regimes and disturbance patterns.
An international study led by the University of Liège proposes a new map of the potential for natural vegetation on Earth, far beyond forests. By incorporating the role of fire and herbivores, researchers are paving the way ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 18, 2025
0
124
Voluntary contributions from citizens are increasingly used to monitor biodiversity—but what motivates people to participate, and how do incentives influence the kind of data they provide? A new study led by the University ...
Environment
Jul 17, 2025
0
16
Africa's tropical belt, defined by the Guinean forests of west Africa and the Congo Basin of central Africa, is globally recognized for its astounding biodiversity.
Plants & Animals
Jul 14, 2025
0
16
Nature isn't confined to officially protected areas. A lot can be done to conserve biodiversity in other places too. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity agreed in 2018 on the idea of "other effective area-based ...
Environment
Jul 9, 2025
0
14
In a study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that the presence of critically endangered Asian elephants (Elephas ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 7, 2025
0
60
Since 1970, 73% of global wildlife has been lost, while the world's population has doubled to 8 billion. Research shows this isn't a coincidence but that population growth is causing a catastrophic decline in biodiversity.
Plants & Animals
Jul 4, 2025
2
376
Effective and noninvasive whale and biodiversity monitoring is now possible with the help of citizen scientists, opening up new opportunities for marine conservation. Water samples collected during whale-watching tours contain ...
Ecology
Jun 27, 2025
0
41
A global effort to create a "microbial Noah's Ark" to preserve the world's diverse collection of healthy microbes before they disappear is now entering an active growth phase.
Ecology
Jun 27, 2025
1
140
Biological invasions are widely acknowledged as a serious threat to biodiversity, global economies, and a good quality of life. Yet, they are not universally perceived as a nuisance and are sometimes gaining—often unexpectedly—cultural ...
Ecology
Jun 26, 2025
0
30
Animal conservationists often move elephants between herds to improve biodiversity and group health, but what if the elephants don't speak the same language?
Plants & Animals
Jun 24, 2025
0
147
