Diversitas

"Biodiversity underpins the life-support system of our planet. Yet several factors, including human behaviour, have brought us to a critical point. The world is experiencing an unprecedented rate of species extinction, which may have far-reaching consequences for all life forms.

DIVERSITAS brings together biological, ecological and social sciences to address four key questions that underlie our limited understanding of the current situation.

• How did biodiversity evolve in space and time to reach current state?
• How much biodiversity exists and how does its change or loss affect the system as a whole?
• How does biodiversity correspond to the delivery of ecosystem functions and services, and what is the true value of these commodities?
• How can scientific investigation support policy and decision making to encourage more sustainable use of biodiversity?"

Source: Diversitas website 

Français: Diversitas