The word “biodiversity” is a term heard with increasing frequency in the ongoing debate over how best to protect the world’s environment, and more specifically, how to preserve its rapidly dwindling numbers of plant and animal species. In very general terms, “biodiversity” refers to the numbers plant and animal species that can be found in a particular habitat or ecosystem. This is apparently a very simple concept, but the simplicity of it belies its significance. A better popular understanding of the real meaning of biodiversity and of its importance to the circumstances in which we presently find ourselves is critical to the success of efforts to protect the nvironment, and therefore essential to our own survival.