biodiversity
nounBand 8formal
UKˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti
USˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜːrsəti
The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or on Earth.
Rainforests are rich in biodiversity.
Habitat loss is driving a decline in biodiversity.
Remember it
“Bio” means life, and “diversity” means variety: biodiversity is the variety of living things.
Watch out
a biodiversitybiodiversity
Biodiversity is normally uncountable.
Goes with
Similar and opposite
- Similar
- biological diversityvariety of life
- Opposite
- monoculture
Word family
Check yourself
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Which picture shows biodiversity?