THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

Environmental themes should be central to geography, and the diversity of life is a proper concern of geographers. The UN Convention on Biod iversity has led to the Darwin Initiative which aims to promote the co ncept. The paper examines the fundamental importance of ''the great ch ain of being'', and considers the role of extinctions as part of evolu tion. Human activities have led to the ''acceleration of Nature''. The value of diversity is assessed in relation to ethical, aesthetic and economic issues.