What is biodiversity
The variety of life forms on Earth
A web of species, habitats, and ecosystems that keeps our planet in balance
An encounter between the microscopic and the majestic
Biodiversity spans everything — from bacteria invisible to the eye to whales that move entire oceans.
It’s so vast, even scientists debate how to define it. But we all recognise its richness: life, in all its extraordinary forms.
A rich web of life and its many connections
Biodiversity isn’t just a list of species — it’s a living network.
Since 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity has expanded the view: life exists at many levels, all deeply interconnected.
- Species diversity
- The incredible variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms on Earth.
Scientists have identified around 1.75 million species — but estimates range from 3 to over 100 million. - Genetic diversity
- The differences in DNA within and between species.
Every organism has a unique genetic makeup — no two individuals in nature are exactly alike. - Ecosystem diversity T
- he vast range of ecosystems on the planet.
Forests, oceans, deserts, and wetlands each host distinct communities of life, shaped by their environment and by each other.
A precious balance worth protecting
Life on Earth thrives through connection between species, ecosystems, and the environments they shape.
These relationships have made our planet not just habitable, but beautiful.
Protecting biodiversity means protecting the vital systems that sustain us every day.
Follow the thread
Explore the hidden links between species, places, and people, the quiet connections that shape our living world.
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Good or bad, unbalanced funding in research
Imbalance in the allocation of conservation funds threatens endangered species
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Low nectar, a problem for wild bees
According to a study, when resources are scarce, honey bees prevail over wild bee species
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How anthropogenic activity wipes out biodiversity
Dark diversity reveals hidden depletion of natural ecosystems
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Adriatic Sea: saving the cuttlefish? It can be done
A project demonstrates the feasibility of a sustainable approach that satisfies various stakeholders
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Healthy ecosystems: the northern park midge
Its discovery in a Milanese park demonstrates the effectiveness of environmental restoration efforts.
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Acidic oceans, resilient sponges? Depends.
Two compared species demonstrate very different adaptive capacities. And the picture becomes more complicated.
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Dolphin laughter
The open mouth is for communicating good intentions and responding to playmates
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Discovering the earth’s oldest ocean
Gaia Blu, the CNR oceanographic ship, will explore a window into Tethys’ past with the Sirens campaign
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Why tachinid flies are at risk (and why we should care)
The decline of these guardians of biodiversity has serious consequences for mountain ecosystems
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Longevity: the case of the Greenland shark
Through DNA repair mechanisms and a specific protein alteration, it reaches 400 years old
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Holobiont: a new perspective on life
An innovative approach to the study of living organisms: from an individualistic to a holistic analysis
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Plastic in the sea: help comes from satellite
Demonstrated ability to detect plastic debris through satellite monitoring