The State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

The State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2019-03-12

Total Pages: 576

ISBN-13: 9251312702

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The State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture presents the first global assessment of biodiversity for food and agriculture worldwide. Biodiversity for food and agriculture is the diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, present in and around crop, livestock, forest and aquatic production systems. It is essential to the structure, functions and processes of these systems, to livelihoods and food security, and to the supply of a wide range of ecosystem services. It has been managed or influenced by farmers, livestock keepers, forest dwellers, fish farmers and fisherfolk for hundreds of generations. Prepared through a participatory, country-driven process, 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. It concludes with a discussion of needs and challenges in the future management of biodiversity for food and agriculture. The report complements other global assessments prepared under the auspices of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which have focused on the state of genetic resources within particular sectors of food and agriculture.


Asia Regional Synthesis for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

Asia Regional Synthesis for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2019-12-19

Total Pages: 57

ISBN-13: 9251320411

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The Asia Regional Synthesis for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture summarizes the state of biodiversity for food and agriculture in the region, based largely on information provided in eight country reports submitted to FAO as part of the reporting process for the report on The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. Biodiversity for food and agriculture is the diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, present in and around crop, livestock, forest and aquatic production systems. It is essential to the structure, functions and processes of these systems, to livelihoods and food security, and to the supply of a wide range of ecosystem services. It has been managed or influenced by farmers, livestock keepers, forest dwellers, fish farmers and fisherfolk for hundreds of generations. The report was originally prepared as supporting documentation for an informal regional consultation on the state of Asia’s biodiversity for food and agriculture, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in April 2016. It was later revised based on feedback received from the participants of the informal consultation. It provides a description of the drivers of change affecting the region’s biodiversity for food and agriculture and of its current status and trends. It also discusses the state of efforts to promote the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture in the region, including through the development of supporting policies, legal frameworks, institutions and capacities.


FAO publications catalogue 2023

FAO publications catalogue 2023

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2023-10-10

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9251380570

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This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2023 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.


Global Plan of Action (Chinese)

Global Plan of Action (Chinese)

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Fao

Published: 2014-10-30

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789255084225

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Forest genetic resources (FGR) are the heritable materials maintained within and among tree and other woody plant species that are of actual or potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal value. They are crucial to the adaptation and protection of our ecosystems, landscapes and production systems, yet are subject to increasing pressures and unsustainable use. At its 11th session in June 2007, the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture emphasized the urgent need to conserve and sustainably use FGR, and included a report on The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources in its Multi-Year Program of Work. On the basis of the information and knowledge compiled by FAO for The State of World's Forest Genetic Resources, the Commission developed the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Forest Genetic Resources, adopted by the FAO Conference at its 38th session in June 2013. This Global Plan of Action identifies 27 strategic priorities grouped into 4 areas: 1) improving the availability of, and access to, information on FGR; 2) conservation of FGR (in situ and ex situ); 3) sustainable use, development and management of FGR; 4) policies, institutions and capacity-building. Implementation of the Global Plan of Action will strengthen the sustainability of the management of FGR while contributing towards the Millennium Development Goals, the post-2015 agenda and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. While primary responsibility for implementation lies with governments, FAO has a strong commitment to supporting countries in these efforts, working with governments and other partners at the national, regional and international levels and in line with FAO's Reviewed Strategic Framework approved by its Member States. Indeed, the Global Plan of Action is an integral part of FAO's efforts to realize its Strategic Objective 2, to "increase and improve provision of goods and services from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable manner."


Terminal evaluation of the project "Securing biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in China’s Dongting Lake Protected Areas"

Terminal evaluation of the project

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2022-04-13

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 9251360391

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This publication presents the findings of the terminal evaluation of the project ‘Securing biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in China’s Dongting Lake Protected Areas’ implemented in China’s Hunan Province. The project was designed to address key barriers to biodiversity conservation. The conclusions highlighted the overall relevance of project design, contribution to biodiversity conservation and strengthening of institutions and networks and the adequate role played by the executing and implementing agencies. Nevertheless, a strong sustainability plan managing existing risks is needed to reinforce sustainability prospects further and certain delays were noted during project implementation that contributed to inefficiencies. Key recommendations made were on the sustainability plan that required finalization and addressing potential risks to long-term impact, the need for the social impact of biodiversity conservation efforts to be fully considered and systematically recorded and that the future project designs should be updated with operational partners to address any contextual changes.


Coping with Water Scarcity

Coping with Water Scarcity

Author: Jean-Marc Faurès

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789251073049

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The report aims to provide a conceptual framework to address food security under conditions of water scarcity in agriculture. It has been prepared by a team of FAO staff and consultants in the framework of the project "Coping with water scarcity - the role of agriculture", and has been discussed at an Expert Consultation meeting organized in FAO, Rome, during the period 14-16 December 2009 on the same subject. It was subsequently edited and revised, taking account of discussions in the Expert Consultation and materials presented to the meeting. The purpose of the Expert Consultation was to assist FAO to better design its water scarcity programme. In particular, the experts were requested to provide recommendations on the range of technical and policy options and associated principles that FAO should promote as part of an agricultural response to water scarcity in member countries. The document offers views on the conceptual framework on which FAO's water scarcity programme should be based, proposes a set of definitions associated with the concept of water scarcity, and indicates the main principles on which FAO should base its action in support to its member countries. At the meeting, experts were requested to review the draft document and provide feedback and recommendations for its finalization. Issues that were addressed in discussions included: 3⁄4 Water scarcity: agreement on key definitions. 3⁄4 The conceptualisation of water scarcity in ways that are meaningful for policy development and decision-making. 3⁄4 The quantification of water scarcity. . 3⁄4 Policy and technical response options available to ensure food security in conditions of water scarcity. . 3⁄4 Criteria and principles that should be used to establish priorities for action in response to water scarcity in agriculture and ensure effective and efficient water scarcity coping strategies.


Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity in China

Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity in China

Author: Xiao Han

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2024-02-23

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 0323908233

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Organic Farming and Biodiversity in China: Protection and Agricultural Pollution Mitigation Effects gives quantitative comparison of biodiversity between organic and conventional farming, provides evaluation on the biodiversity protection mechanism for organic farming, by using an integrative approach to analyze the relationship between agricultural inputs, waste, farming management, government policy and biodiversity in different agro-ecosystems. It also discusses the ecological, economic, and social benefits of organic farming. Written by experts from the Organic Food Development Center of the Ministry of Environmental Protection (OFDC-MEE) - the pioneers of the organic movement in China - this book explores the role that organic farming plays in biodiversity protection, and how the government can support or hinder organic farming. Using the methods of long-term field experiment, field survey, and meta-analysis, the book reviews not yet translated studies in China, therefore unavailable to the English readership, to provide systematic comparison of biodiversity between organic and conventional farming. Organic Farming and Biodiversity in China: Protection and Agricultural Pollution Mitigation Effects is an important resource for researchers and students. It also appeals to policy makers as well as the general public seeking to understand the environmental impact of organic agriculture and the guidance of government policy in China and other regions in the world. Reviews the origin and development of organic agriculture Introduces the current status and policies of biodiversity conservation in China Compares the biodiversity between organic and conventional agriculture Presents innovative information from exclusive studies on organic agriculture development and biodiversity protection in China


Agrobiodiversity

Agrobiodiversity

Author: Karl S. Zimmerer

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2023-10-31

Total Pages: 403

ISBN-13: 0262549697

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Experts discuss the challenges faced in agrobiodiversity and conservation, integrating disciplines that range from plant and biological sciences to economics and political science. Wide-ranging environmental phenomena—including climate change, extreme weather events, and soil and water availability—combine with such socioeconomic factors as food policies, dietary preferences, and market forces to affect agriculture and food production systems on local, national, and global scales. The increasing simplification of food systems, the continuing decline of plant species, and the ongoing spread of pests and disease threaten biodiversity in agriculture as well as the sustainability of food resources. Complicating the situation further, the multiple systems involved—cultural, economic, environmental, institutional, and technological—are driven by human decision making, which is inevitably informed by diverse knowledge systems. The interactions and linkages that emerge necessitate an integrated assessment if we are to make progress toward sustainable agriculture and food systems. This volume in the Strüngmann Forum Reports series offers insights into the challenges faced in agrobiodiversity and sustainability and proposes an integrative framework to guide future research, scholarship, policy, and practice. The contributors offer perspectives from a range of disciplines, including plant and biological sciences, food systems and nutrition, ecology, economics, plant and animal breeding, anthropology, political science, geography, law, and sociology. Topics covered include evolutionary ecology, food and human health, the governance of agrobiodiversity, and the interactions between agrobiodiversity and climate and demographic change.