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Definition
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines
agricultural biodiversity as "the variety and variability
of animals, plants, and micro-organisms on earth that are
important to food and agriculture which result from the interaction
between the environment, genetic resources and the management
systems and practices used by people. It takes into account
not only genetic species and agro-ecosystem diversity and
the different ways land and water resources are used for production,
but also cultural diversity, which influences human interactions
at all levels. It has spatial, temporal and scale dimensions.
It comprises the diversity of genetic resources (varieties,
breeds, etc.) and species used directly or indirectly for
food and agriculture (including, in the FAO definition, crops,
livestock, forestry and fisheries) for the production of food,
fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals, the diversity of
species that support production (soil biota, pollinators,
predators, etc.) and those in the wider environment that support
agro-ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest and aquatic),
as well as the diversity of the agro-ecosystems themselves."
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Relevant CCRP projects
Currently funded projects
Biodiversity
and soil (Peru)
Nutrition
(Mali)
Quinoa (Andes)
Rice
biodiversity (Southeast Asia)
Previously funded projects
Andean tubers
(Peru)
Indigenous
vegetables (Uganda)
Milpa
(Mexico)
Sweetpotato
diversity (Kenya)
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Relevant events
None listed as of
.
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Relevant literature
Available on the Internet
There is a wealth of information resources on agricultural
biodiversity available on the web. We've included links to
several potentially valuable resources that are available
in their entirety, including two books, an article aimed at
scientists engaged in biodiversity research, and six regional
case studies that investigate the extent to which biodiversity
considerations have been incorporated in the agricultural
policies and plans of a set of countries. We've also included
links to biodiversity web portals that will help you to find
additional information on this important topic.
General reference on agricultural biodiversity and food
security
- Website: Action
group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC)
- Reference: Shand, Hope. 1997. Human Nature: Agricultural Biodiversity
and Farm-based Food Security. Rafi, FAO, 110 pages.
- Description: Part 1 includes chapters on crop and plant genetic
resources, farm animal genetic resources, forests, fish and
aquatic resources, while Part 2 reviews policy issues.
Sourcebook on agricultural biodiversity
- Website: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Biodiversity (2003)
- Reference: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Biodiversity
(English Edition, 2003; Spanish Edition, 2004) published by
CIP-UPWARD in collaboration with GTZ, IDRC, IPGRI and SEARICE.
- Description: This sourcebook encourages action aimed at managing
agricultural biodiversity resources within existing landscapes
and ecosystems, in support of the livelihoods of farmers,
fishers and livestock keepers. There are three volumes: 1)
understanding agricultural biodiversity, 2) strengthening
local management of agricultural biodiversity, and 3) ensuring
an enabling environment for agricultural biodiversity.
Research issues within agricultural landscapes
- Website: Alternatives
to Slash-and-Burn Programme (ASB)
- Reference: Swift, M., Izac, A., Van Noordwijk. 2004. Biodiversity and
ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes: are we asking
the right questions? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,
2004. 51 pages).
- Description: An article aimed at scientists engaged in
biodiversity research; it challenges some of the assumptions
that have underpinned past research and suggests new directions
for future research.
Biodiversity case studies
- Website: National
experiences with integrating biodiversity into the agricultural
sector: six regional case studies
- Description: Six regional case studies prepared for the
Thematic Workshop on Managing Agricultural Resources for
Biodiversity Conservation, funded by the GEF (through UNEP)
and ICIPE and held in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2001
1. Case Study of Yunnan, Southwest China - Chen Aiguo.
(Full Case Study) (Accompanying Tables)
2. Case Study of the West African Region, with a Special
Reference to Ghana - Edwin A. Gyasi and Lweis Enu-Kwesi
(Full Case Study) (Accompanying Tables.1) (Accompanying
Tables.2) (Accompanying Map)
3. Case study of Russia and CIS countries - Nina N. Ladonina,
Dmitry A. Cherniakhovsky, Igor B. Makarov and Victor F.
Basevich (Full Case Study)
4. Case Study of India, Philippines and Vietnam - Hannah
Nadel (Full Case Study)
5. Case Study of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Pamela Rhys-Hurn (Full Case Study)
6. Study of Brazil, Cuba and Mexico - Ana Milena Varela
(Full Case Study)
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Relevant links
Web directory
- Website: Reference.com
Web Directory
- Description: Provides links to specific web pages that are concerned with
agricultural biodiversity, including international, national,
and donor organizations.
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