Biodiversity, is generally thought of by
most as the number and variety of
organisms on earth. Few include the
other two aspects of the more
comprehensive definition which requires
the inclusion and consideration of both
genetics and ecosystems. All three
aspects are essential for the broadest
consideration of life on earth. Species
population declines and mass extinctions
have always been part of the natural
process; however, observations made over
the last few decades have made it clear
that these dynamics are quite out of the
ordinary. Moreover, it now appears that
one species, Homo sapiens, is at the
center of these changes and massive
alteration to natural ecosystems is
being felt around the world. Thus, at no
other time in human history has it
become more important than the present
to better understand and sustain the
ecosystems in which we live. To preserve
biological diversity (ecosystems,
species, and genes) we need to focus on
informed, sustainable utilization at the
landscape scale.
