What is biodiversity?

It is a single word that the world has heard a lot in the past 20 years. Before then, biodiversity was a phrase, "biological diversity", and it has many definitions and interpretations.

Generally they are variations on the theme of the variety of life forms - plants, animals and other organisms and micro-organisms - their genes and their ecosystems. Biodiversity can apply to a small area, such as a dam, or it can be large, such as all of Australia. In recent times, the word has come to reflect the health of any ecosystem.

If a region has plenty of biodiversity, with its life forms thriving rather than dead or dying, then it is usually thought of as in good shape. Which means that preserving biodiversity is a head start towards protecting our natural resources.

South Australia has a wealth of biodiversity, especially around its 4000 kilometres of coastline. Whether in the water or on the land, the greatest threats to biodiversity are thoughtless humans and introduced pests.

By turning to people who understand and appreciate their local ecosystems, South Australia's new integrated natural resources system protects biodiversity and encourages its return.