Ecosystem restoration for people, nature and climate – Key messages

03/06/2021

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration provides a unique opportunity to transform food, fibre and feed production systems to the needs of the 21st century, and to eradicate poverty, hunger and malnutrition. This report presents the case for why we all must throw our weight behind a global restoration effort.

Looking at edible insects from a food safety perspective

01/04/2021

This publication provides a brief overview of the regulatory frameworks that govern the farming and use of insects, mainly as food, in various regions. In addition, a few other challenges for the sector, such as research gaps and scaling up production, are identified and discussed. This publication is meant for food safety professionals, policymakers, researchers, insect producers, as well as consumers.

The magical world of soil biodiversity

01/04/2021

In the framework of World Soil Day 2020, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) launched a children's book contest on Soil Biodiversity with the motto "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity". The book contest on soil biodiversity has given visibility to the importance of soil organisms and raised awareness on the urgency of protecting soil biodiversity.

Descriptors for Crop Wild Relatives conserved in situ

01/02/2021

This list of passport Descriptors for Crop Wild Relatives conserved in situ constitutes the minimum initial list for CWR in situ data exchange. For each descriptor, this tool provides a brief explanation of content, its coding scheme, and a suggested field name.

Ecosystem-based adaptation in the agriculture sector - A nature-based solution (NbS) for building the resilience of the food and agriculture sector to climate change

01/10/2020

This document serves to outline the priority nature-based interventions for adaptation in the food and agriculture sector as articulated in countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and as illustrated through the best case practices showcased during the EbA webinar series.

Biodiversity for food and agriculture and ecosystem services

01/08/2020

This study provides an overview of the roles that the biodiversity found in and around food and agricultural production systems play in the supply of ecosystem services ranging from provisioning services, such as the supply of food, fuel and fibre, to cultural services, such as recreation and aesthetic enjoyment, and regulating services, such as pollination, carbon sequestration, pest control and nutrient cycling

How the world's food security depends on biodiversity

01/07/2020

This brochure includes the contribution of genetic resources for food and agriculture to food security and to the achievement of relevant sustainable development goals.

Biodiversity and the livestock sector - Guidelines for quantitative assessment

01/06/2020

These guidelines strive to include biodiversity in environmental assessments, in order to increase the understanding of the impacts of livestock on biodiversity and to reveal possible synergies or trade-offs with other environmental criteria or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several indicators in these guidelines are also of relevance for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors

01/02/2020

The FAO strategy on mainstreaming biodiversity was approved at the FAO Conference in 2019.

Biodiversity for food and agriculture – A treasure for the future

01/11/2019

Biodiversity for food and agriculture is among the Earth’s most important resources. Thousands of species and their genetic variability make up the web of life and are indispensable to adapt to new conditions, including climate change. The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is committed to conserving biodiversity for food and agriculture and promotes its sustainable use for food security, human well-being and development worldwide, for current and future generations.

Near East and North Africa Regional Synthesis for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

01/10/2019

This report summarizes the state of biodiversity for food and agriculture in Near East and North Africa based on the information provided in country reports submitted to FAO as part of the reporting process for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.

Microbiome – the missing link?

01/10/2019

Microbiome – the missing link? In search of the answers, an informal group of people got together first to look into the question about alternative explanations for the obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pandemic. A review of recent scientific literature showed how gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, is a common factor in obesity and various diet-related NCDs.

Discovering and using biodiversity

12/09/2019

Regional consultative meeting on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors in Asia and the Pacific - programme and concept note

17/07/2019

This Regional Consultative Meeting in Asia and the Pacific provided an opportunity for dialogue between a wide range of stakeholders, allowing them to convene and address the issue of mainstreaming biodiversity in seven Plenary Sessions, and four Cross-Thematic Sessions.

The State of the Worlds Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

01/02/2019

The report draws on information from 91 country reports to provide a description of the roles and importance of biodiversity for food and agriculture, the drivers of change affecting it and its current status and trends. It describes the state of efforts to promote the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture, including through the development of supporting policies, legal frameworks, institutions and capacities.

Report of the multi-stakeholder dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors

01/02/2019

As one of the first major activities of the Platform, FAO held a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Biodiversity Mainstreaming across Agricultural Sectors (Dialogue) in Rome, between 29 and 31 May 2018. This publication gives the details of the speakers, the dialogue and the outcomes.

Biodiversity of Turkey: contribution of genetic resources to sustainable agriculture and food systems

01/12/2018

The publication is intended to provide basic information on the biological wealth of Turkey and the contribution of genetic resources to daily life and food security. The book is organized into ten chapters and provides general information on geographical features and agro-ecological zones, diversity of genetic resources, agriculture and biodiversity, conservation and utilization of genetic resources in crop and livestock husbandry, forestry, fisheries, and pharmaceutic and aromatic industries.

Biodiversity for sustainable agriculture

01/11/2018

This brochure presents FAO’s work on mainstreaming biodiversity as a cross-cutting theme in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. It provides examples of on-the-ground activities and highlights relevant international mechanisms. It shows how biodiversity and ecosystems benefit people in countless ways by providing food, clean water, shelter and raw materials for our basic needs.

FAO Biodiversity Mainstreaming Platform

01/11/2018

The brochure provides an overview of FAO's Biodiversity Mainstreaming Platform. This includes highlighting the importance of biodiversity mainstreaming across the agricultural sectors, fostering dialogue between the environment sector and the agricultural sectors, the development of a biodiversity strategy of FAO and shaping the global agenda on biodiversity.

Africa regional synthesis for the State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agrculture

01/05/2018

This report summarizes the state of biodiversity for food and agriculture in Africa based on the information provided in country reports submitted to FAO as part of the reporting process for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.