Biodiversity Day today

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day), in order to promote an increased understanding and awareness on biodiversity issues. The theme for this year's International Day on Biological Diversity is Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation.

Biodiversity or "biological diversity" is a term used to describe life on earth, and encompasses the variety of living things, the places that they inhabit and the interactions between them. The number of species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms; the enormous diversity of the genes in these species; the different ecosystems on the planet, such as woodlands and marine sea-grass meadows; are all part of the diversity on Earth.

Since species depend on the resources provided by other species to ensure survival, a rich biological diversity helps to enhance the health of an ecosystem and increase flora and fauna productivity. Therefore all fauna and flora, no matter how small, have important roles to play. Biodiversity, furthermore, also supports a number of natural ecosystem processes and services, which include pollination, water purification, prevention of soil erosion and improved air quality.

The biodiversity of islands is often made up of unique ecosystems having a number of endemic animals and plants, that is, species found nowhere else on Earth.

Endemic species found in Malta include: the Maltese wall lizard (Scientific: Podarcis filfolensis; Maltese: Gremxula ta' Malta), the Maltese rock-centaury (Scientific: Palaeocyanus crassifolius; Maltese: Widnet il-baħar) and the Maltese cliff-orache (Scientific: Cremnophyton lanfrancoi; Maltese: Bjanka tal-irdum) - species which we had a look at in previous One World articles.

Should you require more information, please contact nature.

requests@mepa.org.mt.