Here is a selection of titles proposed by FAO Publications for forum participants who would like to read more on biodiversity.
Corporate brochures
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR BIODIVERSITY - BIODIVERSITY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
This booklet 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.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6602e.pdf
CORPORATE BROCHURE: GLOBALLY IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SITES − GIAHS
Including a selection of photos and text, this book brings the reader on a journey through the most breath-taking agricultural landscapes around the world. These Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) provide services to family farmers, smallholders and local communities and are home to considerable biodiversity.
http://www.fao.org/3/I9187EN/i9187en.pdf
Flagships
STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2016
This report covers the status of forests, policy and institutional developments and other key issues concerning the forest sector. It shares current, reliable and relevant information to facilitate informed discussion and decision-making.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5588e.pdf
THE STATE OF WORLD FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE 2016
This publication gives a global analysis of trends in fish stocks, production, processing, utilization, trade and consumption. It reports on the status of the world’s fishing fleets and analyses human engagement in the sector.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5555e.pdf
Major reports
THE SECOND REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
This publication provides a comprehensive and timely assessment of livestock biodiversity and trends in animal genetic resources management and identifies the knowledge gaps that will have to be filled in order to tackle current challenges.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4787e.pdf
THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
Biodiversity in forest genetic resources is essential to improving species’ productivity and the nutritional value of the foods they produce – including leafy vegetables, honey, fruits, seeds, nuts, roots, tubers and mushrooms. This report makes recommendations to address threats to biodiversity and analyses the drivers of change and relevant emerging technologies.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3825e.pdf
THE SECOND REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Based on information gathered from country reports and a wealth of other documents, this publication tracks developments in the field of plant genetic resources between 1996 and 2010.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1500e/i1500e.pdf
GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 2015
FRA provides five-yearly updates on the status of the world’s forests. This edition shows that over the past 25 years the rate of net global deforestation has slowed by more than 50 percent. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4793e.pdf
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES
This Code provides a framework for national and international efforts to ensure sustainable exploitation of aquatic living resources in harmony with the environment. It establishes principles and standards applicable to the conservation, management and development of all fisheries in a non-mandatory manner.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/v9878e/v9878e00.htm
Other key titles
INTERNATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT ON PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF MICROBIAL, BOTANICAL AND SEMIOCHEMICAL PEST CONTROL AGENTS FOR PLANT PROTECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH USES
This publication guides pesticide regulatory authorities in registering microbial, botanical, and semiochemical pest control agents for plant protection and public health uses. It updates and replaces the 1988 publication on The Registration of Biological Pest Control Agents.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i8091e.pdf
THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO FISHERIES
This document reviews the evolution of the terminology and underlying paradigms; some selected ecosystem characteristics; the impact of fisheries and of other activities with which fisheries compete; the institutional foundations of the approach and the conceptual objectives and principles of relevance for EAF.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-y4773e.pdf
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF CROP WILD RELATIVES AND WILD FOOD PLANTS
This overview of crop wild relatives and wild food plants describes their human and environmental benefits and the threats they face (e.g. natural disasters). It provides recommendations for implementing a national conservation plan, ranging from target species inventories to threat assessments.
http://www.fao.org/3/I7788EN/i7788en.pdf
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES FOR MAINSTREAMING BIODIVERSITY INTO POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PLANS OF ACTION ON NUTRITION
Appropriate use of biodiversity for food and agriculture in nutrition and agriculture programmes is a key means of addressing malnutrition in all its forms. The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture endorsed these Voluntary Guidelines, with the aim of assisting countries to make the best use of biodiversity in their nutrition programmes.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5248e.pdf
BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
CONTRIBUTING TO FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN A CHANGING WORLD
This publication summarizes the major challenges expected over the next 40 years and offers a perspective on the fundamental changes needed to ensure that biodiversity contributes to sustainable and productive systems.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i1980e.pdf
GUIDELINES ON ASSESSING BIODIVERSE FOODS IN DIETARY INTAKE SURVEYS
These guidelines highlight how FAO collaborates with stakeholders to integrate biodiversity into food consumption surveys as a priority.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6717e.pdf
SUSTAINABLE DIETS AND BIODIVERSITY
DIRECTIONS AND SOLUTIONS FOR POLICY, RESEARCH AND ACTION
The book presents the current state of thought on the common path of sustainable diets and biodiversity.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/i3004e/i3004e.pdf
GARDENS OF BIODIVERSITY
CONSERVATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES AND THEIR USE IN TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS BY
SMALL FARMERS OF THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
This book contains studies on the food habits of the people of the Southern Caucasus, who contribute to maintaining sustainable agricultural systems.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i1687e.pdf
PRINCIPLES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF LIVESTOCK IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY
This publication identifies broad principles intended to assist stakeholders in the assessment of livestock impacts on biodiversity.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6492e.pdf
TREES, FORESTS AND LAND USE IN DRYLANDS – THE FIRST GLOBAL DRYLANDS ASSESSMENT: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Drylands cover 40% of the land area of the world and are also important in terms of biodiversity conservation; of the 25 global biodiversity hotspots, 8 are in the drylands. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the forest and tree resources as well as land use in the drylands of the world.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5905e.pdf
MAINSTREAMING OF BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES WITH A FOCUS ON POLLINATION
For this publication, researchers and policy-makers considered a range of actions to address pollination deficits and develop an indicative set of policy responses.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4242e.pdf
COMMON PLANTS OF MALDIVES
The book covers 270 species of vascular plants, both native and non-native, found on more than 50 islands of the Maldives. It will be a useful field guide for both specialists and non-specialists.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5777e.pdf
MAINSTREAMING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND BIODIVERSITY INTO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
This guidance document details the links between ecosystem services and biodiversity in agriculture, and analyses current policies and best practices across the Pacific Islands.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6505e.pdf
MAINSTREAMING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND BIODIVERSITY INTO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT IN EAST AFRICA
This guidance document details the links between ecosystem services and biodiversity in agriculture, and analyses current policies and best practices in Africa.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5603e.pdf
CONSERVATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES AND THEIR USE IN TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS BY SMALL FARMERS OF THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
This book contains studies on the food habits of the people of the Southern Caucasus, who contribute to maintaining sustainable agricultural systems.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i1687e.pdf
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES FOR AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
This publication provides policy-makers with sustainable methods to tackle food insecurity and poverty through stronger governance systems and social participation.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5462e.pdf
INVENTAIRE FLORISTIQUE ET FAUNIQUE DES ÉCOSYSTÈMES DE MANGROVES ET DES ZONES HUMIDES CÔTIÈRES DU BÉNIN
This report provides an inventory of flora and fauna species in Benin’s mangrove ecosystems, including distribution, conservation and space−time dynamics. It calls for conservation actions for endangered species in partnership with research institutions.
http://www.fao.org/3/I8402FR/i8402fr.pdf
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL AND POLICY INSTRUMENTS RELATED TO DEEPSEA FISHERIES AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN THE ABJN
Recognizing the need to control fishing activity, this publication reviews international treaties relevant to deep-seas fisheries management and discusses which provisions require national-level implementation.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7009e.pdf
More on biodiversity
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES FOR SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT
AGROFORESTRY FOR LANDSCAPE RESTORATION
SAVE AND GROW IN PRACTICE: MAIZE, RICE AND WHEAT. A GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE CEREAL PRODUCTION
PULSES: NUTRITIOUS SEEDS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN ACTION
Also forthcoming
THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
In addressing all biodiversity relevant to food and agriculture, the publication presents a broad perspective on the contributions made by biodiversity for food and agriculture to food security and nutrition, sustainable and resilient production, and the provision of ecosystem services.
http://www.fao.org/nr/cgrfa/biodiversity/sowbfa/en/
THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S AQUATIC GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
http://www.fao.org/aquatic-genetic-resources/background/sow/en/
REVIEW OF THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S FISHERY RESOURCES: INLAND FISHERIES
This new update aims to improve global understanding of the contribution of inland fisheries to food security and human nutrition, ecosystems services and biodiversity resources and livelihoods.
FAO Publications