biodiversity

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Measure of the variety of the Earth's animal, plant, and microbial species, of genetic differences within species, and of the ecosystems that support those species. High biodiversity means there are lots of different species in an area. The maintenance of biodiversity is important for ecological stability and as a resource for research into, for example, new drugs and crops.

Estimates of the number of species vary widely because many species-rich ecosystems, such as tropical forests, contain unexplored and unstudied habitats. Among small organisms in particular many are unknown. For example, it is thought that less than 1% of the world's bacterial species have been identified.

The most significant threat to biodiversity comes from the destruction of rainforests and other habitats. It is estimated that 7% of the Earth's surface hosts 50–75% of the world's biological diversity. Costa Rica, for example, has an area less than 10% of the size of France but possesses three times as many vertebrate species.

Yellow stands for mineral wealth. Green represents the country's vegetation and natural resources. Red recalls the blood spilt during the liberation struggle. Effective date: 18 April 1980. >>