mangfolds

Biodiversity, or mangfold in Norwegian, refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. It encompasses genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Together these levels form the foundation for the structure and function of ecosystems.

Biodiversity underpins a wide range of ecosystem services that are essential for human well-being. These include provisioning goods such as food and medicine, regulating services like climate stabilization, flood control, and pest management, supporting services such as nutrient cycling and soil formation, and cultural and recreational values that enrich societies. Biodiversity also contributes to resilience, helping ecosystems adapt to and recover from environmental change.

Biodiversity faces multiple threats. Habitat loss and fragmentation from agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure reduce the living space available to many organisms. Overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change disrupt ecological interactions and alter species distributions. These pressures can lead to declines in species richness and genetic diversity, with cascading effects on ecosystem health and services.

Measuring and monitoring biodiversity involves indicators of genetic diversity, species richness and evenness, and ecosystem diversity. Conservation relies on in-situ approaches such as protected areas and landscape planning, and ex-situ options like seed banks and captive collections. Restoration ecology aims to recover degraded ecosystems. International frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and post-2020 biodiversity targets, guide policies and funding to reduce biodiversity loss and promote sustainable use.

In summary, mangfold/biodiversity is the diversity of life that supports ecosystem function, human well-being, and planetary health, and it requires informed management to persist.