Biodiversity

Biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity conservation is a strategic component of adaptation to climate change and the mitigation of its effects. Healthy ecosystems can provide protection against floods and droughts, and genetic diversity enables species to adapt to changing climate conditions. Biodiversity can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and ecosystem degradation. The conservation of forests and other natural ecosystems can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the capacity of ecosystems to store carbon (International Union for Conservation of Nature).