What is biodiversity?

Question

How and why is it important?

Answer 1

Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms in an environment.  It is important for many reasons (see link).  

Answer 2

As already mentioned Biodiversity is basically the variation of life forms that can be found within a given ecosystems.

Some benefits include; medicinal purposes (i.e. herbal remedies) Aesthetics (we all appreciate the beauty of nature) Aggriculture (sustainabilty of the environment) umm... Biomimetics I think but don't quote me on this lol... but studies on animals such as bird flight has influenced studies into the field aerosciences.

There are probably other benefits but can't think of anymore ..lol hope this helps though. :-)

Answer 3

phils got it covered ^