Nature’s resilience isn't just about the number of species

Science · Published 28 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Biodiversity is often simplified as a headcount of plants and animals, but it is actually a measure of life's complexity. From microscopic bacteria to massive forests, this intricate web provides the essential services—like clean water and flood protection—that make human civilization possible.

While 'species richness'—the sheer count of different organisms in an area—is a primary metric for biodiversity, scientists also measure it at three distinct levels: genetic, species, and ecosystem. For instance, while there are over 350,000 known species of beetles globally, a local survey might only reveal 10 to 20. This variation highlights that biodiversity is not a static number but a dynamic property influenced by specific locations and habitats. The term itself is a contraction of biological diversity. It encompasses everything from fungi and microorganisms to the way different species interact with their physical surroundings.

The geographic distribution of this variety is not uniform; biodiversity generally peaks at the equator and declines as latitude increases. The Amazon rainforest serves as a prime example of high species richness, housing at least 116,000 species, including over 5,500 vertebrates. In contrast, the Sahara Desert is significantly less rich, with estimates suggesting as few as 300 vertebrate species and 500 plants. Scientists have currently described about 1.7 million species, though many more remain undiscovered. Most of these documented organisms are insects.

The true value of biodiversity lies in 'ecosystem services'—the functional benefits nature provides to humans. A diverse ecosystem acts like a resilient web; when variety is high, the system can better withstand changes and shocks. For example, native grazers like bison help maintain grasslands by redistributing nutrients and preventing woody plants from overtaking the land. When these connections are severed by habitat loss or pollution, it creates ripple effects that weaken our ability to access food, medicine, and protection from natural disasters. Human activities like resource extraction and climate change are causing rapid declines in wildlife health. Protecting these systems requires supporting Indigenous stewardship and easing pressure on natural resources.

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