Biodiversity is more than a scientific term—it’s the foundation of life on Earth. It refers to the biological diversity of our planet: the variety of life across terrestrial ecosystems, marine ecosystems, and aquatic ecosystems, from the smallest microorganism to the largest mammal. This complex web of life supports the ecosystem services we depend on, from food production to clean water and human health.
Today, we have a unique opportunity to enhance and restore biodiversity around the world. As landscapes evolve and ecosystems face increasing pressures from land use and changing environmental conditions, the need to support thriving, balanced natural ecosystems has never been more important. By focusing on regeneration, protection of native species, and the strengthening of ecosystem services, we can help ensure ecosystems remain resilient, diverse, and full of life.
Understanding the definition of biodiversity, and why it matters across all levels—from genetic diversity and individual plant species to the health of entire ecological communities—is essential if we are to protect the natural systems that sustain us. This article explores the core value of biodiversity, what’s driving its decline, and how restoring it is critical for securing a sustainable future.
What is biodiversity?
At its core, biodiversity—short for biological diversity—refers to the full range of living organisms on Earth. This includes every plant species, animal species, fungus, and microbe, along with the complex relationships they form within ecological communities.
To fully grasp the biodiversity concept, it helps to look at its three main levels:
- Genetic diversity – the variation of genes within species, which enables adaptation, resilience, and long-term survival.
- Species richness – the number and abundance of different forms of life within a particular region or ecosystem.
- The variety of ecosystems – from rainforests to coral reefs, each with its unique structure, function, and role in supporting life.
This diversity exists across all parts of the planet—on land, in coastal ecosystems, beneath the ocean surface, and in our fresh water systems. It encompasses everything from native species that have evolved in specific regions, to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.
The levels of biodiversity are tightly interconnected. A healthy forest, for example, depends not just on the trees, but also on the insects that pollinate them, the birds that disperse their seeds, and the microbes in the soil that support nutrient cycles. Together, they form a functioning biological community—one that underpins the ecosystem services we rely on every day.
Read more: Sweet solutions: the role of bees and Impact Investments in environmental restoration
Without biodiversity, these systems become fragile. And without these systems, the very foundation of human settlement, food security, and long-term resilience begins to erode.
The value of biodiversity
The value of biodiversity goes far beyond aesthetics or conservation—it’s fundamental to the planet’s stability and directly impacts our economies, societies, and well-being. Biodiversity supports the ecosystem services that make life possible: it regulates climate, purifies air and water, controls disease, and maintains soil fertility. These services are not optional—they’re essential.
In practical terms, the diversity within species and across ecosystems enhances resilience. High genetic variety among crops, for instance, increases resistance to pests and diseases, supporting long-term food production. Diverse biological resources also underpin the discovery of new medicines, drawn from the medicinal resources found in forests, wetlands, and oceans.
Biodiversity sustains agricultural land by enriching soils and supporting pollinators, while forests and wetlands store carbon and deliver clean water. In coastal regions, coastal ecosystems such as mangroves protect communities from storms and erosion—yet these same ecosystems are among the most threatened globally.
The loss of biodiversity affects human health directly and indirectly. It increases exposure to zoonotic diseases, reduces access to medicinal compounds, and destabilises the systems that regulate our climate and support our livelihoods. The decline in the health of ecosystems is ultimately a decline in the quality of life for all species—including our own.
Read more: Carbon farming: How is it good for the environment, farmers, and biodiversity?
From a planetary perspective, the variety of life is not only beautiful but also functional. Each species, no matter how small, plays a role in the balance of nature. Even the disappearance of a single species can trigger cascading effects across an entire system. When we reduce biodiversity, we reduce the Earth’s ability to adapt, recover, and sustain future generations.
Understanding the pressures on biodiversity
While the value of biodiversity is widely recognised, many ecosystems today are experiencing pressures that call for thoughtful restoration and long-term stewardship. These influences vary by region, but the main drivers of biodiversity loss are well understood and offer clear pathways for meaningful intervention.
Changes in land use remain one of the most significant factors. As forests are transformed for agriculture, infrastructure, or development, the integrity of many terrestrial ecosystems is reduced. This transformation fragments the land surface, impacts entire ecological complexes, and can limit the space available for diverse biological communities to flourish. In these cases, supporting regeneration efforts helps maintain species richness and provide habitat for native species.
Pollution also affects the balance of ecosystems. Substances like pesticides, plastics, and industrial by-products can disrupt the health of fresh water, soil, and air—challenging the survival of both plant species and animal species. Responsible land management and innovation in clean technologies help reduce strain on natural resources and protect vital biological resources.
Read more: The impact of reforestation on biodiversity
The movement of non-native species—whether through global trade, travel, or accidental introduction—can challenge local ecosystems. Some invasive species may outcompete or displace endemic species, altering interactions within natural ecosystems and increasing pressure on local populations. Supporting native biodiversity helps restore balance and maintain the strength of regional genetic diversity.
In more sensitive environments—such as aquatic ecosystems and coastal ecosystems—changing conditions may influence migration, flowering, and breeding cycles. In these areas, adaptive land and water strategies can ensure the long-term capacity of ecosystems to remain productive and supportive of the diversity of life.
By understanding these dynamics, we can shape solutions that protect the foundations of food security, ensure access to clean water, and promote human health. Strengthening biodiversity today ensures that both current and future generations can benefit from robust, resilient, and healthy ecosystems.
Read more: How biodiversity loss impacts ecosystems and what we can do to help
Can we reverse the trend?
Yes—and the solutions are already in motion. Reversing biodiversity loss requires a systemic shift in how we manage land, resources, and development. It means aligning conservation efforts with long-term planning, science-based policy, and inclusive economic models that value nature not as a commodity, but as the foundation of life.
Protecting remaining biodiversity hotspots is one urgent priority. These areas—rich in endemic species and high species richness—hold irreplaceable genetic and ecological value. Safeguarding them preserves vital genetic resources and helps stabilise regional ecosystem services.
Restoring degraded terrestrial ecosystems, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems is another essential strategy. By reintroducing native species, improving genetic diversity, and rebuilding habitat structures, these efforts enhance the capacity of ecosystems to recover and support diverse life forms.
Equally important is transforming agriculture. Rethinking how we use agricultural land—through agroecology, crop diversification, and reduced chemical inputs—can significantly reduce pressure on natural ecosystems while improving long-term food production.
At the policy level, governments must adopt integrated biodiversity strategies that recognise the interconnectedness of human settlement, infrastructure, and the health of ecosystems. This includes enforcing protections, supporting innovation in sustainable development, and ensuring accountability through transparent data and monitoring.
But perhaps most powerfully, we must reframe biodiversity as an investment. Initiatives like ecosystem services framing help quantify the true value of forests, wetlands, and biological diversity to economies and societies. This approach builds a stronger case for financing and scaling solutions that benefit both nature and people.
The opportunity is clear: with the right tools, leadership, and commitment, an increase in biodiversity is not only possible—it’s essential.
Read more: Biodiversity credits: an innovative financing mechanism for conservation
Biodiversity hotspots: where nature is thriving
Some regions of the world contain extraordinary concentrations of biological diversity—and they’re also among the most threatened. These are known as biodiversity hotspots: areas with exceptionally high species richness, especially endemic species, but facing severe pressure from human activity.
From the terrestrial biodiversity of the Amazon and the Congo Basin to the fragile coastal ecosystems of Madagascar and Southeast Asia, these regions are critical reservoirs of genetic resources, natural resources, and ecological resilience. Many support ecological communities that have evolved in isolation over millennia, forming unique and irreplaceable links in the tree of life.
Protecting these hotspots is more than a conservation goal—it’s a global priority. These areas act as strongholds for the planet’s diversity of life, holding the key to medicinal resources, climate regulation, and the stability of broader natural ecosystems. Their degradation, often caused by deforestation, agriculture, mining, and the introduction of non-native species, accelerates the global biodiversity crisis and increases the risk of widespread species extinctions.
Read more: Where are the world's biodiversity hotspots?
Investing in these regions is one of the most effective ways to halt the decline. By preserving the genetic diversity and ecological functions they support, we create a buffer against further habitat destruction and help secure the capacity of ecosystems to serve both nature and people.
These hotspots are not just biologically significant—they are essential for a sustainable and equitable future.
Why biodiversity matters for the future
In a functioning ecosystem, no species exists in isolation. Even a single species can play a critical role—sometimes acting as a keystone that supports an entire biological community. When that link is broken, the entire system can begin to unravel.
This is why biodiversity loss is more than an environmental concern—it’s a global risk. As the health of ecosystems declines, so does the stability of food systems, water supplies, and the broader conditions that underpin the quality of life for all people.
Safeguarding biological diversity is an investment in long-term resilience. Strong biodiversity strategies help ecosystems regenerate, adapt, and continue providing essential ecosystem services. These strategies protect not only the diversity within species but also the relationships between species and their habitats, ensuring the ongoing function of complex ecological systems.
But the issue is also deeply social. The collapse of natural ecosystems often hits hardest in low-income and rural regions—places where communities rely directly on biological resources for food, water, medicine, and income. Without targeted action, this crisis threatens to widen existing inequalities.
It also limits the legacy we leave to future generations. A world without thriving terrestrial ecosystems, stable fresh water access, or resilient agriculture is one with diminished opportunity and increasing risk. Protecting biodiversity is not simply about preserving nature—it’s about ensuring that the systems which sustain life remain intact for decades to come.
Restoring balance through nature-based solutions
The biodiversity concept goes beyond conservation—it’s about re-establishing harmony between people and the diversity of life. It acknowledges that the health of human systems is intrinsically tied to the vitality of natural ecosystems, and that the path forward lies not in extraction, but in regeneration.
At DGB Group, we focus on real, measurable impact. Our nature-based solutions are designed to restore the Earth’s most valuable natural assets—its forests, wetlands, and terrestrial ecosystems. These projects not only sequester carbon, they actively enhance species richness, protect native species, and rebuild the health of ecosystems where biodiversity has been lost.
By addressing the root drivers of biodiversity loss, our work contributes to reversing the global biodiversity crisis. We do this by integrating local communities, economic incentives, and long-term ecological planning. Whether we’re restoring biodiversity hotspots, enriching the genetic variety of tree species, or supporting critical ecosystem services, each DGB project is designed to deliver both environmental and social value.
Biodiversity is not optional. It is essential—for human health, for stable food production, for access to clean water, and for the future of our planet. The time to act is now.
Discover how our projects are restoring ecosystems, empowering communities, and supporting a thriving planet for future generations.
