Abstract: The core projects of the International Biodiversity Observation Year ( IBOY) are int roduced in the present paper. These project s address the following questions : 1) What biodiversity do we have and where is it ? 2) How is biodiversity changing ? 3) What goods and services does biodiversity provide ? 4) How can we conserve biodiversity ?Based on the int roductions , the authors put forward some suggestions for development of biodiversity science in China.