Micro-organisms and invertebrates

Microorganisms and invertebrates are the most numerous groups of species on Earth. Invertebrates are a highly diverse group and account for more than 95 percent of all animal species. Microorganisms comprise the vast and diverse range of organisms that are too small to be seen by the human eye. Both groups are vital to food and agriculture.

Various kinds of microorganisms establish mutually beneficial symbiosis with agricultural plants (e.g. colonizing roots and improving nutrient uptake) or animals (e.g. living in the rumens of species such as cattle, sheep and goats and enabling them to digest fibrous feed). Others are vital in food processing, for example the yeasts used to make bread and the bacteria used to make yoghurt. Many crops depend on invertebrate pollinators, most commonly bees. Both microorganisms and invertebrates play major roles in the control of pests and are indispensable in nutrient cycling and in the formation and maintenance of soils.

Unfortunately, even as scientists are discovering the many roles and values of microorganisms and invertebrates, their diversity is being eroded. Changes in land use and the resulting habitat loss, the use of pesticides and fertilizers, climate change and invasive alien species have all upset ecosystem balances and interfered with the valuable ecosystem services provided by microorganisms and invertebrates.

FAO has a long tradition of technical work on the management of microorganisms and invertebrates in food and agriculture, for example on their use in integrated pest management. It also facilitates and coordinates two global initiatives of the Convention on Biological Diversity in this field: the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Pollinators and the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity. Many partner organizations collaborate with FAO on these important initiatives.

Aquatic invertebrates are addressed under the Commission’s work on aquatic genetic resources.

Main outcomes CGRFA-20:

Recommendation that FAO publish the study The sustainable use and conservation of edible fungi and invertebrates used as dietary components of food/feed
Recommendation that FAO publish the study The sustainable use and conservation of fermentation-associated microorganisms within the agrifood system
Recommendation that FAO invite stakeholders for a meeting to consider next steps in the establishment of a global pollinator platform
Recommendation that FAO conduct a review of policy, normative and institutional frameworks related to the monitoring, conservation and sustainable use of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents and microbial biostimulants

Soil biodiversity is under threat in all regions of the world.

Almost 90 percent of flowering plant species depend, to varying degrees, on pollinators (vertebrate or invertebrate).

Approximately three-quarters of the world’s crops producing fruits and seeds for human consumption depend, at least in part, on pollinators.

The worldwide market for biological control products (including semiochemicals and natural products in addition to biological control agents per se) was EUR 3.6 billion in 2019.

It is estimated that 99 percent of micro-organism species remain undescribed.

The 800 plus collections listed by the World Data Centre for Microorganisms together hold 3 293 403 strains (as of May 2021), representing 42 106 species of bacteria and fungi from 78 countries and regions.

Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture