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Biodiversity and Endangered Species

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is defined as the variety and abundance of species and the ecosystems within which they occur. There are many reasons for us to be concerned about biodiversity. A large number of species have economic value, and all species have roles in ecosystem processes. Recognition of these benefits, combined with additional values placed on species by society, have led to the passage of numerous laws encouraging, and even requiring conservation of species diversity. These laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, affect us all.

The Central Hardwood Region, which includes Indiana, is naturally quite diverse, with a wide variety of ecological communities native to the region.

All ecosystems in the region, however, have been subject to past disturbance and alteration. Private lands, which make up most of the region, are highly fragmented, meaning that the natural landscape has been chopped up into tiny, isolated patches. The resulting landscape is one dominated by agriculture and urban development, with the remaining wildlands embedded within it. The few large, unfragmented wildland ecosystems remaining in the region are generally in public ownership.

• Conserving Threatened and Endangered Species on Private Lands (FNR-172)
• Biodiversity in Indiana (FNR-178W)
• Management of Biological Diversity in the Central Hardwood Region (FNR-147)
• The Value of Hoosier Wetlands (Video-FNR-3)
• DNR Wildlife Diversity Program
  Information on North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP), Indiana endangered species list, reintroduction programs, information on nongame species, and more.