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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRYResource
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk.
Grades
5 - 8
Subjects
Biology, Ecology
Image
grasshoppers
Although all of these insects have a similar structure and may be genetic cousins, the beautiful variety of colors, shapes, camouflage, and sizes showcase the level of diversity possible even within a closely-related group of species.
Photograph by Frans Lanting

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Last Updated
May 20, 2022
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