Investigate Biodiversity Today, biodiversity research has taken on a new urgency. What’s all the fuss about? Unique species—from medicinal plants in China to butterflies in Illinois—are disappearing at an alarming pace around the world. As the extinction rate speeds up, we’re losing not only many well-known, valuable plants and animals, but also an untold number of species we know nothing about. Knowledge about species, past environments, and evolutionary relationships is vital to understanding and protecting the biological diversity of life on Earth has been the mission of Field Museum scientists for more than a century. Through their efforts, we now know much more about how plants, animals, and people interact with and affect one another in our planet’s fragile web of life. Take a look at what scientists have learned about biodiversity and check out how Field Museum efforts contribute to conservation actions. Basics of Biodiversity Learn the answers to basic questions about biodiversity: What is it? Why is it important? How is it being damaged? And what can we do to protect it? You’ll gain a better understanding of the issues that concern scientists worldwide. The Field Museum’s Mission Find out more about how Field Museum scientists document and defend biodiversity through comprehensive collections, critical research programs, training initiatives, and conservation efforts.   continue to Basics of Biodiversity >> Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits