Review for Discussion Background to biodiversity Biodiversity is short for 'biological diversity', meaning the whole variety of all living things on earth, including plant and animal species and their genetic diversity. The term also includes the way these organisms interact. In short, the term biodiversity means the whole living world, of which we are an integral part. Human activity is damaging the very environments on which we depend, causing the destruction of habitats and, in extreme cases, the extinction of species.
Biodiversity conservation is about safeguarding species and their habitats.
It includes the protection of high profile endangered species but also, crucially, locally important wildlife and habitats in all parts of Scotland. In recognition of the urgent need to safeguard the Earth's biodiversity, the UK signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. This sets out broad strategies for conserving and enhancing wild species and wildlife habitats in the UK for the next 20 years. The UK Biodiversity Steering Group has developed national aims and objectives to implement these strategies. In Scotland, a Biodiversity Group has been set up as a partnership, linking key organisations in the public and private sector.