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Mathematical Advances Towards Sustainable Environmental Systems pp 89–107Cite as

Introduction to Biodiversity

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Abstract

Biodiversity has finally entered conversations among scientists and the populace at large as a common topic. With news about high rates of species loss and increased extinction rates, getting an idea of the wealth of species on our planet takes on an air of urgency and significance. In about 250 years of applying scientific names, we have managed to work through only a fraction of what is believed to be out there. Part of human nature involves collecting and categorizing the things around us. Our priority and primordial purpose for keeping collections and catalogs can vary from simple curiosity to economic interests. Only recently has biodiversity, in and of itself, come to be regarded as a valuable resource. Undoubtedly, every species plays a role in nature and as such, has potential to provide humankind rewards at some level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, University of San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador

    Kelly Swing

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  1. Kelly Swing
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Correspondence to Kelly Swing .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environment and Technology, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom

    James N. Furze

  2. College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador

    Kelly Swing

  3. Indian Institute of Management, Coordinator, Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

    Anil K. Gupta

  4. Centre for Complex Cooperative Systems, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom

    Richard H. McClatchey

  5. Centre for Research in Biosciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom

    Darren M. Reynolds

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Swing, K. (2017). Introduction to Biodiversity. In: Furze, J., Swing, K., Gupta, A., McClatchey, R., Reynolds, D. (eds) Mathematical Advances Towards Sustainable Environmental Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43901-3_5

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