Industry research<br /> for large-scale sustainability Industry research<br /> for large-scale sustainability

Glossary

Biodiversity

Biodiversity entails the diversity of life on three levels: the «diversity of species», the «diversity of genes» and the «diversity of habitats». It thus includes all living beings that exist on earth and is the result of millions of years of evolution. It is nothing less than the basis of our existence. Biodiversity is priceless and only needs to be protected for its own sake. At the same time, it has great economic and practical benefits. Farmers depend on the support of numerous organisms that ensure healthy crops and yields. Cultivated plants need microorganisms in the soil or the services of pollinating insects for their growth. A functioning ecosystem with natural adversaries helps farmers to keep pest populations under control.

Nature in all its diversity is an irreplaceable service provider. Farmers can do a lot to protect nature. With flower strips at the edges of fields, valuable habitats for insects and other living beings can be created and linked. In addition to agriculture, research also benefits from the greatest possible species diversity. It is an important source of inspiration for scientists. It is not uncommon for the key to innovation to be found in the observation, imitation or further development of nature. In this respect, biodiversity resembles an enormous archive in which there is still a lot of undiscovered potential. This includes ingredients and ideas for new drugs, active ingredients for plant protection products or building blocks for more robust types of vegetables and grains. Biodiversity is a key to ensuring and improving food security in the long term. Biodiversity is therefore both the basis of life, a service provider and a source of innovation.

Sources

Terms from the glossary