human biodiversity

7.8

The differences in people's genes and cultures around the world

noun
/ˈhjuːmən ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜːrsɪti/

Specialized

: biodiversidad humana

Understanding human biodiversity helps scientists study how populations adapt to different environments.

Examples

Educational programs on human biodiversity promote respect for both genetic and cultural differences.
Preserving human biodiversity is essential for maintaining a rich variety of languages and traditions.
The human biodiversity in the Amazon is remarkable.
Why is human biodiversity important for our survival?
Educational programs on human biodiversity promote respect for both genetic and cultural differences.
Preserving human biodiversity is essential for maintaining a rich variety of languages and traditions.
Understanding human biodiversity helps scientists study how populations adapt to different environments.

How Diverse

human biodiversity

Specialized

7.8

diversity

348 3.5

variation

77 3.3

homogeneity

6 7.6

Surface Forms

human biodiversity singular

human biodiversities plural

Morphology

human + biodiversity

The meaning is directly compositional: 'human' (relating to people) + 'biodiversity' (variety/diversity of life) yields the idea of diversity among humans (genetic and cultural). This formation follows a common, predictable compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Human biodiversity comes from the word biodiversity, which means many different kinds of life in nature, and adds human to point to people. Think of a garden with many kinds of flowers, so it means the 'variety' of genetic differences and cultural traits among humans.