Home
Biodiversity

About This Collection

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

Vaquitas Are Still Out There
June 14, 2023

A recent expedition in Mexico's Gulf of California tallied just 10 to 13 vaquitas, confirming these small porpoises are critically endangered but not yet extinct. Their population has plummeted from 600 in 1997, primarily due to entanglement in gillnets set for the endangered totoaba fish.

Despite the dire situation, Mexico has largely failed to enforce its totoaba fishing ban. The Center, advocating for over 20 years, now urgently calls on the government to enforce this ban immediately to prevent the vaquita's permanent loss. Learn more: https://biodiv.us/43PxPIE