(Dandelion pollen grain, Taraxacum officinale) The scientific study of pollen is called palynology and can be used by forensic scientists to discover clues at crime scenes.

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Biodiversity

The term biodiversity describes the variety of life on Earth, from micro-organisms to mighty whales, along with the habitats they depend upon. Discover why the world’s biodiversity is under threat and what will happen to us as biodiversity decreases. Also, find out about the problems that come with trying to measure it, and how the Museum’s work is helping in the study and conservation of biodiversity.

  • Banded demoiselle, the UK’s largest damselfly on a nettle
    International Year of Biodiversity

    Find out about International Year of Biodiversity 2010 and what's happening in the UK and across the world.

  • Nesting puffins
    Introduction to biodiversity

    What is biodiversity, what are the threats and what is the Museum doing to help conserve biodiversity?

  • Wheat sheaf
    Why conserve biodiversity?

    Biodiversity is a fundamental part of the Earth's life support system, without it we would not be able to survive.

  • Pollution - a threat to biodiversity
    What threatens our biodiversity?

    The world's biodiversity is under threat from a range of different dangers, the majority of which have been caused by humans.

  • A scientist at the Museum examining a specimen
    Biodiversity at the Museum

    Scientists at the Museum and in many other research centres are still discovering new species, all of which play a role in the global ecosystem.

  • Exploring Biodiversity
    Exploring Biodiversity

    Investigate patterns of UK biodiversity in our interactive introduction for students and amateur enthusiasts.

  • Seaweed in Anchor Bay, Somerset
    Somerset seaweeds

    Follow Museum expert Professor Juliet Brodie as she carries out the first seaweed survey since the 1970s in Blue Anchor Bay along the Bristol Channel.  Watch the video.

  • Logging operation in Brunei
    Are we in crisis?

    What will our quality of life be like as species go extinct, human populations continue to grow and resources become scarce?

  • Global biodiversity value
    Measuring biodiversity

    Paul Williams discusses the problems with measuring biodiversity and introduces a solution to this important issue.

  • The leaves of an elm tree
    Elm Map

    In 2003, the Natural History Museum, the Ramblers' Association, English Nature and eight partner organisations, joined forces in an initiative to map Britain's surviving elm trees.

  • Encyclopaedia of life
    Encyclopedia of Life - 17/05/2007 (video)

    Graham Higley talks about the launch of the Encyclopedia of Life project that will create a free online encyclopaedia of all the 1.8 million living species on Earth.

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