Published: 04.01.10

Biodiversity

A new term for biological variety appeared in the biologist’s vocabulary during the mid-1980s: “biodiversity”. It was coined by American evolutionary biologist Eduard O. Wilson, who popularized it beyond the bounds of the field. This eventually included politics. In 1992, representatives from over 160 states signed the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rio de Janeiro, committing themselves amongst other things to curbing the loss of biological diversity. Nearly 20 years on, the UN has now declared 2010 the Year of Biodiversity and is thus looking to set an example. After all, biological diversity is more under threat than ever. The CBD has not been able to change anything, either. Genes, species and habitats – the three pillars of the concept of biological diversity – are disappearing at a breathtaking rate after millions of years of successful existence. The chief culprit is mankind and his method of land use. Consequently, ETH Life will be devoting its attention to biodiversity this year, presenting some background knowledge and the latest from biodiversity research at ETH Zurich at regular intervals in this dossier.

 
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Taxonomists an endangered species
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Return to the wilderness
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So much for pristine mountainscapes
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Diversity needs space
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