Biodiversity is the contraction of biological diversity. It encompasses “all living things on earth”. Most biologists describe biodiversity as the “totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a region”.

Biodiversity is a measure of the health of all ecosystems. Bigger biodiversity implies greater health as more options exist for species to adapt, survive and prosper.

Since life appeared on Earth, five major mass extinctions have led to big and sudden loss in biological diversity. The last one involved the famous extinction of dinosaurs. Today, at the pace of species extinction, we are facing a 6th massive one called the Holocene extinction. Causes this time are not a supernova ray burst or a volcano irruption, but are more likely to be humans activities.

Little glossary of biodiversity

A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H -I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z

A

Aquatic ecosystems

Basic ecological unit composed of living and nonliving elements interacting in an aqueous medium.

Antennas

Sensory organs that have an olfactory, auditory (detect the vibrations in the air) or tactile role, and even sometimes a function of taste.

Associated ecosystem

Set in permanent or temporary with the current environment by either surface or underground connections: islands, backwaters, floodplains, floodplain forests, riparian forests, springs, rivers, aquifers, etc.

Auxiliary

An insect is said auxiliary or useful when it is the predator or parasite of another pest to man.

B

Bee

Flying insect in the service of biodiversity: 80% of flowering plants on our planet, more than 200,000 species, reproduce by pollination.

Biological Resource

Components of biodiversity that have a direct, indirect or potential use for humanity.

Bathe

Baste the leaves of a plant with a light rain.

Bio geography

Science that studies the distribution of living beings on the earth.

Biomass

Total mass of living beings on a given surface of Earth.

Biopiracy

Ownership of living organisms and limitation of its use by filing patents. Biopiracy threatens both biodiversity and the work of small producers in developing countries.

Brood

Honey combs that contains eggs and larvae.

By catch

Incidental catches due to the use of non-selective fishing gear.

C

Canopy

Ecosystem at the forest’s interface with the atmosphere.

Convergence zone

Area of a pelagic ecosystem having reached the final stage of maturity.

Chrysalid

The third stage of the life of a butterfly. During this stage, the caterpillar becomes a butterfly.

Commensalism

Type of coexistence between two organisms where one organism benefits but the other is neutral. In other terms, there is no harm or benefit.

Composting

Reports of vegetable waste in a bin, which, as it decomposes, provide an organic compost that becomes an excellent natural fertilizer for plants.

Coprophagy

Insect that feeds on feces.

E

Eco citizen

A citizen that respects the environment in his/her daily acts on all living areas and passage.

Eco-label

Brand recognition of ecologically clean product.

Ecological Services

The role played by organisms in a given ecosystem to create conditions which benefit all human beings (e.g. pollination, climate regulation, water purification, etc.)

Ecology

All science studying the interactions between living organisms and their environment.

Eco-material

“Green” construction material in the sense that it is a renewable, recyclable, not treated with harmful substances, and whose manufacturing process has reduced environmental impact (low water consumption and energy for example).

Ecosystem

Whole complex of relationships between species among themselves and with the inert medium in which they operate. The ecosystem includes the biota and habitats.

Eco-tone

Ecological transition zone between two ecosystems. For instance, the transition from savanna to forest.

Eco footprint

Tool to assess the impact of humans on the planet and raise awareness of the depletion of natural resources caused by our lifestyles.

Endemic

A living species that is only present in a given region (a mountain, an island, a valley, a country, etc.).

Entomology

Study of insects.

Erosion

Degradation of the soil surface under the effect of water or wind.

Ecosystem integrity

Extent to which relationships between ecosystems and within ecosystems remain intact so that the number and variety of living species are preserved.

Evaporate sweating

Quantity of water transpired by plants that evaporates at the ground level.

Exogenous (or exotic)

An animal or plant from another region.

Exoskeleton

Rigid external skeleton of all insects. It is made of chitin.

F

Fair trade

Distribution circuit ensuring fairer remuneration of producers, particularly in developing countries.

G

Genetic resource

Components of biodiversity used by humans for agricultural or industrial.

Greenhouse

Natural phenomenon that gives the Earth a livable temperature. A number of gases released by human activities are called “greenhouse gases” because they accentuate the natural phenomenon.

I

Invasive (species)

Species that was introduced intentionally or accidentally in an area outside its natural range and that upsets the balance of natural environments and competes with native species.

K

Keystone species

A species strongly connected to others in a given ecosystem, whose disappearance ends with a disruption of it.

L

Leaching

Driving of nutrients by rainfall or watering.

Lagging

Material that reduces heat loss.

Lignin

Lignin is, after cellulose, the main constituent of wood. The lignin gives wood its rigidity and hardness.

M

Metamorphosis

All successive transformations experienced by a larvae to reach adulthood.

Microorganism

Bacteria, fungus, algae, yeast present in the soil and ensuring the decomposition of organic matter.

Mineralization

Release of mineral elements contained in organic matter and humus.

Marine Ecosystem

Saltwater ecosystems, including oceans and coasts. Ocean ecosystems include pelagic communities on the surface of the sea and benthic zones at the bottom of the sea.

N

Nymph

Last larval stage of the insect, before metamorphosis, which enshrines the adult stage.

P

Parasitism

Lifestyle of an organism that lives at the expense of another.

Photosynthesis

Synthesis of carbohydrates by plants using solar energy captured by chlorophyll pigments.

S

Secondary forest

Forest has been exploited and has regenerated naturally or artificially (by seeding or planting).

Species

Group of living beings with strong morphological similarities, determined by a genetic identical or very close, and that can be interbreed.

Sweating

Steaming water by plants.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

T

Transition Zone

Area where two ecosystems overlap and where there are species associated with each of these ecosystems.