Biodiversity

The term biodiversity describes the variety of life on Earth, from micro-organisms to mighty whales, along with the habitats they depend upon. Discover why the world’s biodiversity is under threat and what will happen to us as biodiversity decreases. Also, find out about the problems that come with trying to measure it, and how the Museum’s work is helping in the study and conservation of biodiversity.

Introduction to biodiversity

What is biodiversity, what are the threats and what is the Museum doing to help conserve biodiversity?
Why conserve biodiversity?

Biodiversity is a fundamental part of the Earth's life support system, without it we would not be able to survive.
What threatens our biodiversity?

The world's biodiversity is under threat from a range of different dangers, the majority of which have been caused by humans.
Biodiversity at the Museum

Scientists at the Museum and in many other research centres are still discovering new species, all of which play a role in the global ecosystem.
Exploring Biodiversity

Investigate patterns of UK biodiversity in our interactive introduction for students and amateur enthusiasts.
Somerset seaweeds

Follow Museum expert Professor Juliet Brodie as she carries out the first seaweed survey since the 1970s in Blue Anchor Bay along the Bristol Channel.
Bats - The good, the bad, and the ugly (video)

Some eat fruit, others drink blood. Join Museum bat expert Frank Greenaway as he explores these remarkable animals.
Butterfly conservation (video)

Discover how you can get involved in saving moths and butterflies, with Emily Funnell from Butterfly Conservation.
Are islands a gateway to extinction? (video)

Join Nick Arnold to discover why island species are often highly vulnerable to extinction.
Tadpoles (video)

Takes a look at the world's tadpoles. How do they survive and how do they make the radical leap into fully grown frogs and toads?
Are we in crisis?

What will our quality of life be like as species go extinct, human populations continue to grow and resources become scarce?
Essential biodiversity reading

Dick Vane-Wright, head of Entomology at the Museum, recommends five books on the topic of biodiversity.
Measuring biodiversity

Paul Williams discusses the problems with measuring biodiversity and introduces a solution to this important issue.
Elm Map

In 2003, the Natural History Museum, the Ramblers' Association, English Nature and eight partner organisations, joined forces in an initiative to map Britain's surviving elm trees.
Encyclopedia of Life (video)

Graham Higley talks about the launch of the Encyclopedia of Life project that will create a free online encyclopaedia of all the 1.8 million living species on Earth.