Biodiversity is the foundation of sustainable agricultural production and food security.
Agrifood sectors – crop and livestock production, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry – manage significant parts of the land, freshwater and oceans. They depend on biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides. But they also affect biodiversity in both positive and negative ways, impacting on livelihoods, food security and nutrition.
FAO’s projects, programmes and knowledge products help countries use, conserve and restore biodiversity in agrifood systems. This work is a key priority for FAO in its efforts to achieve its vision of a sustainable and food secure world for all.
Key facts and figures
3 out of 4 crops, representing 35 percent of global food production, depend, at least in part, on animal pollination
Soils are a major reservoir of biodiversity. There are more living organisms in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on Earth!
About 50 000 wild species globally are fished, gathered, logged or harvested for food, energy, medicine, materials or other purposes
Coral reefs provide vital habitat for 25 percent of the world’s known marine species
Livestock diversity includes a pool of around 38 species of domesticated birds and mammals, with more than 8 200 breeds currently used for food and agriculture
Publications
Action Plan for the implementation 2024–2027
01/05/2024
The Action Plan reflects experiences gained from the implementation of the 2021–2023 Action Plan.
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.
Publications
Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
01/05/2022
The Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture was endorsed by the FAO Council in 2021.
FAO at COP16
