Part I Biological Diversity ny meaningful discussion of land use first requires an understanding of biological diversity, or biodiversity. Definitions of biodiversity can vary. Ecosystems are the complex of biological communities and the ecological processes sustaining them.
Biodiversity includes dynamic ecological processes.
Ecosystems and communities are in a constant state of change driven by natural processes such as fire and other natural events. For this report, our focus is on maintaining native plants and animals and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur. Such a broad assessment may help address these gaps in protection before they become crises. Addressing the gaps will require a range of strategies, including the establishment of reserves, which may be either public or privately owned lands managed primarily to conserve native biodiversity. However, it will also require attention to lands that are managed principally for other purposes, such as agriculture, forestry, recreation, or housing, but where biodiversity goals are recognized and integrated as important secondary purposes.