One of the simplest definitions of biodiversity is the number of species in a particular area at a particular time.  Therefore, when groups such as BirdSource- Birding with a Purpose involve private citizens in their data gathering techniques they must be sure to instruct people not to add their bird counts for separate days together.  Biodiversity can be defined quite differently when genetic diversity or visible differences are included.  Questions such as the degree of diversity between a Carolina chickadee and a blue jay versus a Carolina chickadee and a Black-capped  chickadee create debates on the nature of the word diversity and  whether it is bound by  genetic or phenotypic aspects, among other things. ( R. W. Thorington Jr. 1999)

Loss of  animal and plant species may or may not seem like an important aspect of modern life. Most of us have more pressing issues such as were our next meal is coming from or when the next assignment is due. Once these needs are taken care of, most people want various luxuries;  from conveniences like refrigerators and washing machines, to more extravagant things such as the latest model of their favorite vehicles or the newest computer. People tend to get upset if you tell them they cannot have a particular item or piece of land because it would kill an endangered species or upset an ecosystem.  This does not mean that these people do not care about the endangered species. It just means they want their "rights" and don't want other people involved in their decisions about where and how they live.

Monocultures may be easier to grow and harvest but they are more susceptible to being wiped out by disease.  Multiple species are an insurance policy for future generations (Yachi S. Loreau M. 1999), especially when it comes to grains.  If we rely solely on one or two varieties of rice or corn we can quite easily find ourselves in a famine situation after some pestilence has destroyed the crop.  Natural ecosystems can be a buffer against other disasters as well.  Wetlands often absorb water that would otherwise cause major flood damage.  If a wetland is not healthy it will not absorb water as efficiently.

The  problem is not that people will not agree to conserve a certain number of species, or the cute and cuddly species, but that it is hard to distinguish which species are absolutely necessary. Species which are vital to the survival of their environment are termed called Keystone species. When they are removed their ecosystem it falls apart. Scientists in the coming century will be forced to decide which species we protect and to what degree we protect them.  These decisions may need to be based on information we cannot obtain until it is to late for the knowledge to aid our decisions. Some people are trying to preclude this by doing experiments with exclusion zones for particular species.  The results are not always what a conservationist would like to find. sometimes a plot with fewer species does just as well or better than one with a greater diversity.( Aaron Ellison 1998)
 

Migration
Wetlands

Creating wildlife corridors a page of links from the Union of International Associations (UIA)

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