What does the term 'biodiversity' refer to in environmental sustainability?

The term ‘biodiversity’ refers specifically to the variety of life on Earth, encompassing the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form and their genetic diversity. This concept is crucial in environmental sustainability because higher biodiversity typically leads to more resilient ecosystems that can withstand disturbances and provide a range of services, such as clean air and water, pollination of crops, and nutrient cycling. Preservation of biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting human life, highlighting its interconnectedness with sustainability efforts.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of environmental and business contexts. Resources used in business may relate to sustainable resource management but are not synonymous with biodiversity. Economic balance in ecosystems can involve functions but does not specifically define biodiversity. Strategic planning in businesses involves decision-making processes that might consider sustainability but is not directly about the biological variety and ecosystems. This sets apart the concept of biodiversity as distinctly focused on life forms and their ecological roles.