Biodiversity

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by Anup Shah
This Page Last Updated Sunday, March 03, 2013
This page:http://www.globalissues.org/issue/169/biodiversity.
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The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity.
The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of
genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests
and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and
sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any
approach. Almost all cultures have in some way or form recognized the importance that
nature, and its biological diversity has had upon them and the need to maintain it. Yet,
power, greed and politics have affected the precarious balance.

Colombia is truly unique in one respect: it is very, very rich in life forms. In fact, it is
considered among the worlds four richest countries in biological diversity. This means
that there are probably more animal and plant species here than in any other country on
the planet regardless of size. Our avifauna is particularly rich: 1876 species of birds and
counting (since year 2000, five new species have been discovered by science and more are
expected), more than any other country. The staggering biodiversity of Colombia is not
difficult to understand if you consider its geography: tropical rainforests; Andean
mountains; tropical glaciers; vast plains, coasts on two oceans with mangroves, coral reef
islands and atolls; deserts and a myriad of rivers and streams. All happening under the
tropical sun in an area smaller than twice the state of Texas. This means there are
endless possibilities for adventures and exploration in Colombia.