New in the FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub: March update
The FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub centralizes FAO’s key resources and information on biodiversity across agrifood systems. The platform supports countries in strengthening their knowledge and capabilities to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and ensure global food security.
The Hub now offers 551 resources, searchable using filters such as KMGBF targets.
Highlights include:
- a new e-learning course on biodiversity and agrifood systems;
- a synthesis report on the environmental and health impacts of pesticides and fertilizers;
- a guide on the fisheries sector and the BBNJ Agreement; and
- practical manuals and training materials on integrated soil fertility management, biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices and sustainable mussel farming.
Biodiversity and agrifood systems e‑learning course
Biodiversity and agrifood systems - Introduction is the first e-learning course specifically developed to present essential concepts and practical approaches for understanding biodiversity and its mainstreaming in agrifood systems. Structured in four lessons, it covers biodiversity at ecosystem, species and genetic levels; its contribution to food security, nutrition and resilience; the global decline of biodiversity and its drivers; and the actions needed to integrate biodiversity into agrifood policies and practices. By combining conceptual foundations with practical policy guidance, the course explains why and how biodiversity should be mainstreamed across agrifood systems and outlines the key actions required to achieve this. The course targets government officials and policymakers, programme officers and technical specialists, researchers and students, as well as producers and extension workers involved in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture.
Strengthening biodiversity governance and environmental risk management across ecosystems
Fisheries and the BBNJ Agreement - A guide describes how the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement relates to the fisheries sector. While the Agreement does not directly regulate fisheries, its processes, such as area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity development, depend on fisheries' data, expertise and cooperation. The guide outlines these linkages and encourages fisheries bodies to engage proactively to ensure policy coherence and benefit from more integrated ocean governance.
Developed jointly by UNEP, FAO and WHO together with global experts, the Synthesis Report on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers and Ways to Minimize Them reviews the current knowledge base on pesticide and fertilizer use to support stakeholder advocacy aimed at reducing adverse impacts. Addressing forest ecosystems, Territorial approaches to forest governance: Current status, challenges and solutions for improvement examines the shift from plot-level, public-sector forest management toward landscape-scale, multi-stakeholder governance involving communities, governments, the private sector and civil society. It presents seven guiding principles with recommendations to strengthen institutions, collaboration, and accountability for more effective forest management.
From knowledge to implementation: capacity building and practical tools
Three new capacity-building documents provide practical guidance for sustainable management across agriculture and aquaculture. Integrated soil fertility management: Training guide for facilitators supports farmers and extension agents in managing soil fertility as a dynamic system and adapting practices to local conditions. The guide Good practices for sustainable management of biodiversity in agriculture in West Africa (available in French) showcases locally adapted experiences from four countries, highlighting the role of producer organizations in strengthening farmer capacities, product quality and ecosystem services. European mussel farming - A practical manual offers practice-oriented guidance that integrates biological and technical knowledge to promote efficient and responsible aquaculture.
About the FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub
The FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub facilitates access to biodiversity-related resources developed by FAO to strengthen countries’ capacity to mainstream biodiversity in agrifood systems, implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and achieve food and nutritional security for all.
The hub is organized into five modules:
- Resources: search and filter through FAO publications, including guidelines, methodologies, reports, standards, indicators, policy guidance, and more – each contributing to one or more targets of the KMGBF
- Data and indicators: information on over 25 indicators under FAO custodianship included in the monitoring framework for the KMGBF, along with access to key databases and information systems
- Country reports: reports prepared by countries for FAO processes on a range of topics related to biodiversity; thematic communities through which users can engage with relevant stakeholders on topics related to biodiversity and agrifood systems
- Communities: thematic communities through which users can engage with relevant stakeholders on topics related to biodiversity and agrifood systems
- Learning: curated library of multilingual self-paced e-learning courses focused on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture