Welcome to the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario
Biodiversity measures the variation of life shaped through ecology and evolution from genes to species and ecosystems. Genetic variation plays a critical role in the ability of individuals and species to respond and adapt to environmental change while the diversity of species within and between ecosystems provides significant advantages to ecosystem function and resilience. One of the ironies of biological research is that after more than 250 years of dedicated biological science, the total number of species within any country or region remains unknown. While we often have a good idea of the identities and ecological roles of the larger, more charismatic animals (birds, mammals) the truth of the matter is that most of life is small (insects, bacteria, fungi) and currently undescribed. Shedding light onto these lesser known groups is important because all of the larger groups, including ourselves, depend on these smaller organisms for some part of their daily natural history. In order to protect and understand the diversity of life in Ontario, we must be able to know the species and ecosystems upon which humans, and our industry and lifestyle, depend.
Departmental News and Events
- U of G Teams With High Schools
A pioneering outreach project at the University of Guelph has turned high school students from across Canada into "food sleuths." Read more. - Scientists from U of G in Mexico to Talk Barcoding
More than two dozen scientists from the University of Guelph are in Mexico City this week attending the third international Barcode of Life Conference. Read more.
