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Biodiversity - a GRI Reporting Resource - Global Reporting Initiative

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Introduction<br />

1.1 Introduction to the <strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Resource</strong> Document<br />

RELATIONSHIP OF ORGANIZATIONS WITH BIODIVERSITY<br />

Value of biodiversity<br />

<strong>Biodiversity</strong> is the variability among living organisms from all sources and the ecological<br />

complexes of which they are part 1 , ranging from birds in the air, fish in the sea, and microorganisms<br />

in the soil to genetic variety within agricultural crops and diversity of ecosystems.<br />

This variability is essential for ecosystems to function efficiently. Ecosystems provide<br />

‘ecosystem services’ to organizations and society as a whole, including food, fresh water,<br />

wood and fibre, medicines, soil fertility, climate regulation, building materials, inspiration for<br />

scientific and technical development, genetic resources, flood regulation, and recreation<br />

facilities. There is no organization that does not make use of one or more of these ecosystem<br />

services, either directly through their own activities or indirectly through supply chain<br />

partners.<br />

1] Part 2 provides an extensive explanation of<br />

biodiversity.<br />

R e p o r t i n g o n B i o d i v e r s i t y<br />

7

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