 Why Is Biodiversity Important?At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change. |  How does Biodiversity loss affect...How does Biodiversity loss affect me and everyone else? - Biological diversity is the resource upon which families, communities, nations and future generations depend. It is the link between all organisms on earth, binding each into an interdependant ecosystem, in which all species have their role. It is the web of life. |  Biodiversity Atlas Reveals ...New global biodiversity atlas reveals the secrets of soil. |
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 Scientists discover gorgeous ...For the past four years, scientists have been under the sea, collecting tiny creatures from all the world's oceans and analyzing them. This expedition, on board the schooner TARA, set out to map the biodiversity of a wide range of planktonic organisms. They collected 35,000 samples and observed the organisms, exploring their interactions and how they are affected by their environment, primarily the temperature and acidity of the oceans. |  The Importance of BiodiversityHere's the problem with the loss of biodiversity: The Earth functions like an incredibly complex machine, and there don't appear to be any unnecessary parts. Each species -- from the lowliest microbe to humans -- plays a part in keeping the planet running smoothly. |  Biodiversity 100A campaign to compile a list of 100 tasks for world governments to undertake to tackle the biodiversity crisis. |
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 Sea Anemone Is Both Animal and PlantSea anemones are classified as being animals, but two new genetic studies have found that these water-dwelling creatures are technically half plant and half animal. |  9 Animals That Are On the Verge ...9 animals that are on the verge of disappearing forever. Lemurs, Giant Panda, Polar Bear, Lesser Prairie Chicken, West African Lion, Pygmy Elephant, Galapagos Penguin, Snow Leopard and Humpback Whale. |  Coral Reefs Suffer Coral reefs suffer as the relentless hunt for shark fins takes its toll. Scientists find removal of sharks from two reef systems led to a sharp decline in the number of fish that help keep coral healthy. |
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 Insect EyesMacro photographs of insect eyes by Yudy Sauw |  TED Playlist - Insects are awesome!Bugs! Some say they're a nuisance, but we think they're a wonder. These insect-obsessed speakers share how ants form societies, how bees pollinate flowers, and how termites can be quite ... tasty. |  5 Extreme Life-FormsMeet the extremophiles, so-called because they can withstand environments so intensely hot, cold, salty, acidic, alkaline, pressurized, dry, radioactive, or barren they’d put us out like a match in a hurricane. |
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 The Caterpillar DefenseThis bizarre caterpillar, which lives near cinereous mourner nests is enormous. It’s 12 centimeters long, or about the size of a cinereous mourner chick. And its hairs are tipped with an irritating toxin. Londoño and his colleagues propose that the chicks both behave and look like this caterpillar (which belongs to a yet-to-be-described species). |  TED Playlist - Plantastic!Green, leafy, often delicious: Plants are all around us and make the ecosystem work. Hear from gardeners, vegetarians, designers and conservationists on the wonderful world of plants and vegetables. |  Vertical farms sprouting all ...Urban warehouses, derelict buildings and high-rises are the last places you'd expect to find the seeds of a green revolution. But from Singapore to Scranton, Pennsylvania, "vertical farms" are promising a new, environmentally friendly way to feed the rapidly swelling populations of cities worldwide. |
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