Biodiversity means the variety and variations of life on Earth, usually measured at genetic, species or ecosystem level. Biodiversity is not spread over the Earth, but richest at the tropics. Whilst the term 'biological diversity' goes back to 1916, the combined term 'biodiversity' was not coined until 1985 by EO Wilson. A 'biodiversity hotspot' is a place that is particularly rich in plants (flora) and animals (fauna) and these are threatened by human influence, for example habitat loss.
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