Biodiversity in a changing world

Biodiversity comprises the variety of life in all of its forms from the past to the present, animals, plants and a variety of micro-organisms. With taxonomy, a discipline and strength of all institutions of natural history, we study the three main levels of biodiversity (genes and genomes, populations and species, communities and ecosystems) and this in the three major habitat realms (terrestrial, freshwater and marine).

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More about biodiversity

Permanent exhibition

Living Planet

The Earth is swarming with life - rediscover it in our new Gallery, Living Planet, through an aesthetic, family-friendly and scientific approach to biodiversity.

19/09/2024

New book maps key areas for Gabon's biodiversity conservation

A newly released book has mapped 35 essential regions in Gabon that require protection to conserve its unique biodiversity. The book was authored by an international team of experts, including Olivier Pauwels from the Institute of Natural Sciences.

20/11/2023

More than 30 new sponge species discovered in Peru

A zoologist from the Institute of Natural Sciences, together with a Brazilian colleague, has documented the sponge diversity of Peru: 86 species, of which 31 were recently described by them, in all shapes and colors.

20/06/2024

Termites found in Belgium for the first time

Biologists have confirmed the presence of three different species of termites in Belgium for the first time. Because these tropical insects eat wood, they can cause damage to buildings and other wooden structures. Termites may have arrived here via imported infested wood products. One of the three species can survive cooler climates and may spread further.

09/09/2023

Invasive alien species: how to tackle one of the five main causes of the biodiversity crisis?

The Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published a new report, provides an overview of the latest data, analysis and options regarding invasive alien species and their control.