# 4 Diversity on your dinner plate

If asked to imagine ‘Where would you find high biodiversity?’ many people might think of an exotic place – animals in a rainforest or a riot of colourful fish on a coral reef perhaps (Figure 3). You are, however, exposed to a large diversity of species every day – in the food you eat.

You can use your diet to explore the diversity of species and from this can learn about key concepts relating to species classification, which can then be applied to biodiversity in natural systems.

Figure 3 A diversity of species can be found (a) in natural systems and (b) on a dinner plate .

Although your food is usually sourced from many locations – and hence your diet is unlikely to represent the biodiversity of a particular area – it is a useful way to explore relationships between different living things. It is also important to note that a diet with higher biodiversity does not necessarily imply a healthier diet; food is simply being used here as a tasty way to explore some key scientific concepts.

Next you will explore the diversity of plant and animal species that your food comes from.

OpenLearn - Eating for the environment
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