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Image: Aitor Sáez/DW

Habitat

Every species has its place. But what makes the planet's ecosystems so special? We explore the desert, venture inside the forest and dive into the ocean.

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All Content on this topic

Spaziergang im Herbst

My favorite - The oak tree

For Moldovan environmentalist Aurel Lozan the oak tree is a mighty symbol of the country's forest.
February 5, 2016
BdW Global Ideas Bild der Woche KW 05/2016 Tote Pottwale im Wattenmeer

Beached giants

February 4, 2016
Äthiopien Löwen

Lion population discovered in Ethiopia

Conservationists are rejoicing at the discovery of a previously unknown lion population along the Ethiopia-Sudan border.
February 2, 2016
Symbolbild Baum Lady Liberty

Going Underground

Have you ever wondered just how much is going on right beneath our feet. There's a whole world down there...
January 26, 2016
Symbol der US-Behörde Federal Energy Regulatory Commission für Fischleitern

Why fish need ladders

In the wild, some fish migrate over long distances. But manmade dams block their way. Fish ladders can help.
January 25, 201610 images
Nautilus Photo: MARUM Universität Bremen/LMU München/dpa

Freaky sea creatures discovered

Scientists dove down to 800-meter-deep waters in Australia's Coral Sea - and found some astonishing new species.
January 22, 2016
Heirloom apple varieties on display at Green Week (Photo: DW/N. Zimmermann)

Saving Germany's heirloom apples

Germany has thousands of apple varieties - but many are at risk of disappearing. Experts are working to preserve them.
January 22, 2016
Wiederentdeckte Froschart - Frankixalus jerdonii

'Extinct' frog rediscovered

A tree frog thought to be extinct since the 19th century has been redisovered in India.
January 21, 2016
Palm tree in Tunisia (photo: FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images)

Tunisia's Gafsa Oasis under threat

The UN has declared the Gafsa Oasis on the edge of the Tunisian desert worthy of protection.
January 20, 201606:00 min
Globalideas Teaser – Maya – 1 ohne Logo

Saving the Maya rainforest

Groups and locals are working together to preserve the biodiversity of the Selva Maya, home of the ancient city, Tikal.
January 19, 2016
13.01.2016 DW Global 3000 Wald

Guatemala: Forest of ancient cities

The biodiversity of the unique Selva Maya rainforest is threatened by deforestation.
Nature and EnvironmentJanuary 18, 201607:20 min
Die Sesamstraße wird 40

Nine kids' shows about the environment

Nine kids' shows that teach us about biodiversity and how to care for our planet.
December 22, 2015
Plastic litter on Moolack Beach north of Newport in Oregon where marine biologist Julia Hager realized the severity of plastic pollution in oceans.

Keeping Myanmar clean

Fast action is needed in the race to save Myanmar's pristine waters from the side effects of development.
December 22, 2015
17.12.2015 DW Global Myanmar

Protecting Lake Indawgyi

NGOs and locals are working together to preserve Lake Indawgyi's natural beauty and attract tourists.
December 22, 2015
17.12.2015 DW Global Myanmar

Environmental Protection in Myanmar

An NGO joins forces with locals to preserve the natural beauty of Lake Indawgy.
PoliticsDecember 21, 201506:52 min
DW Global 3000 - Andaman

Diving forest rangers

India wants to protect some 1400 km of its coastline. As part of this effort forest rangers have to acquire new skills.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 15, 2015

My favorite - The sponge

Some use them to clean their bathrooms, but for Christian Vaterlaus sponges are a source of intense fascination.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 10, 2015
Teaser Benin

Coexistence in the river delta

At the border between Togo and Benin a new biosphere reserve is set to help people and animals coexist.
December 8, 2015
View of snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda

Culture and Conservation

Getting local populations to support conservation projects can be tricky. Understanding local beliefs may be the key.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 8, 2015

How climate change impacts Senegal

Drought and flooding might read like opposite extremes, but climate change is inflicting both on parts of Senegal.
December 7, 201502:40 min
BdW Global Ideas Bild der Woche KW 46/2015 Orang-Utan-Baby

Ape-napping

December 3, 2015
In Patagonia a large group of Sei whales perished in April 2015.

Dead whales in southern Chile

New research shows a case of mass whale stranding could be the largest disaster ever of its kind.
December 2, 2015
Artikelbild Costa Rica

Cash for biodiversity

Costa Rica is a frontrunner when it comes to nature conservation but finding the cash to keep the status isn't easy.
December 1, 2015
25.11.2015 DW Global3000 Bio Costa Rica

Cash for biodiversity

Costa Rica is a frontrunner when it comes to nature conservation but finding the cash to keep the status isn't easy.
December 1, 2015

Investing in the rainforest in Costa Rica

The rainforest of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula has one of the richest bio-diversities on Earth.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 30, 201505:14 min

Protecting the tropical forest in Colombia

The small national park of Los Colorados is one of Colombia's most important forests. But the pressure from outside is growing: a busy road, deforestation and above all the nearby town are all having an impact on life in the park.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 23, 201507:38 min
Child running over drought-struck land

Photo Challenge: How do you see climate change?

November 18, 2015
Artikelbild Georgien Biosphäre

Of bears, wolves and sheep

Conservationists in Georgia are working to protect both sheep and their legendary predators: wolves.
November 17, 2015
Ocean view

Protecting biodiversity in an island paradise

A BIOFIN initiative is helping support the Seychelles in its environmental protection efforts.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 10, 2015
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles trudging along the beach on Mexico's pacific coast

Sea turtle power

Endangered sea turtles make a comeback in Mexico and help locals in the process.
November 10, 2015
Artikelbild Seychellen

Protecting nature in the Seychelles

The Seychelles works hard to protect its biodiversity – and the UN is helping.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 9, 201507:22 min
Critically endangered: orangutans. (c) EPA/M.A.PUSHPA KUMARA

A disaster of global proportions

Indonesia's rainforests are on fire, threatening humans, rare species and the climate. But they can be stopped.
November 4, 2015
30.10.2015 DW Global 3000 Sheka Wald

Fighting for a sacred forest

The Sheka forest is under threat but a local NGO wants to protect it by providing sustainable economic opportunities.
November 3, 2015
Artikelbild Boden

Saving Senegal's peanut basin

Senegal's soil is paying the price for years of peanut monoculture. One organization is trying to turn the tide.
October 27, 2015
Artikelbild Peru

Back to basics in Peru

Farmers in Peru are looking at simple ways to fight climate-induced loss of biodiversity.
October 20, 2015
A group of people sitting in green courtyard

'Walk lightly on the earth'

Casa de los Amigos in Mexico City leads by example to encourages people to make small lifestyle changes.
October 16, 2015
Orangutan hand on cage

#POTW: Six years in captivity

October 15, 2015
The Great Barrier Reef

Ocean ecosystem collapse

A new study paints a bleak picture of collapsing ocean ecosystems resulting from climate change and acidification.
October 14, 2015
Island in the background, sea with boats in the foreground

Caribbean dream

Marine life and humans among the Caribbean islands live in close quarters - but collaboration can help solve conflicts.
October 13, 2015
A before and after image of coral bleaching in American Samoa (Photo: XL Catlin Seaview Survey)

Coral bleaching endangering reefs worldwide

Dramatic new pictures show damage to coral reefs from a "global bleaching event" due to climate change and El Nino.
October 12, 201510 images
Rows of bear paws

Wildlife raid

Forest police in Beijing have arrested 16 people on suspicion of involvement in an expansive wildlife trafficking ring.
October 12, 2015
Chiloé market (photo: picture alliance/Robert Harding World Imagery/P. Groenendijk)

A spud by any other name?

Some 200 varieties of native potatoes are cultivated by small-scale farmers on the island of Chiloé in Chile.
October 8, 201504:57 min
Bildergalerie Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Biodiversity's treasure chest

In Svalbard, close to the North Pole, seeds from crop plants from all over the world are stored.
October 7, 201512 images
A man holding Saola horns

Leeches playing detective

Conservationists in Vietnam are using leeches to help track down the rare, endangered and elusive saola.
October 6, 2015
From journalist to conservationist and social entrepreneur

Forest life

The first time Wendee Nicole travelled to Uganda was as a reporter. The second time, she was to set up an NGO.
October 5, 2015
Symbolbild Stricken und Häkeln

Sustainable sweaters

European grannies are knitting winter woolens in the name of the envirornment and sustainable fashion.
October 2, 2015
A man stands with the mountains in the background

When the glaciers melt

Farmers in Kyrgyzstan are learning how to keep their harvests going in the face of dwindling water supplies.
September 29, 2015
Gibbon in den Bäumen

Cambodia's natural gems

The vast and biodiverse Central Cardamom Protected Forest in Cambodia faces all manner of conservation threats.
September 29, 2015
Photo: Giant Galápagos tortoise (Source: doethion - Fotolia.com)

Giant tortoise success

Giant tortoises are endangered but successful conservation programs on the Galápagos Islands are helping.
September 25, 2015
Teaser Globalideas – Cowboy ohne Logo

Success without deforestation

Colombia's agricultural sector is learning how to leave some room for nature.
September 22, 2015