Biodiversity, also known as biological diversity, refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth.

Biodiversity is a measure of genetic variance (genetic variability), species variety (species diversity),
and ecological diversity (ecosystem diversity).[1] Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed on Earth; it
is typically greater in the tropics due to the warm environment and high primary productivity in the
equatorial region. Tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10% of the earth's area and are home to
around 90% of the world's biodiversity. Marine biodiversity is often higher near Western Pacific
coasts, where sea surface temperature is highest, and in the mid-latitudinal band of all oceans.
Species diversity has latitudinal gradients. Biodiversity tends to cluster in hotspots and has been
increasing over time.