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Biodiversity

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is necessary for life to thrive on Earth.

Aldo Leopold, one of the great thinkers of conservation, observed more than half a century ago the importance of protecting species. "To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering," he wrote. Losing species is like throwing away one by one the engine parts of an airplane while flying.

Biodiversity is a major initiative of Conservation International.

Biodiversity conservation provides substantial benefits to meet immediate human needs, such as those for clean, consistent water flows; protection from floods and storms; and a stable climate. 

Curated by mokiethecat

Behold Endangered Blanding's Turtle Hatchlings
July 22, 2020

Endangered Blanding's turtle hatchlings begin their journey into the wild. These turtles can live 80 years, but their population is critically threatened by predation, disease, habitat destruction, and human collection.

In 2011, a Center petition secured CITES protection for Blanding's turtles. The Center, joined by renowned scientists like E.O. Wilson, further petitioned in 2012 for U.S. Endangered Species Act protection for the turtle and 52 other threatened amphibians and reptiles.

While not yet federally protected in the U.S., Blanding's turtles are safeguarded by state laws in several states.