Biodiversity & agriculture

Developed by humans for about 12,000 years, agriculture exploits biodiversity in all its dimensions, from gene to landscape, and its functions, for the production of biomass and services. However, the number of species contributing to the world diet is reduced in favour of the most productive varieties and breeds which induce strong changes in the environment for their production. Poorly managed, agriculture can lead to pollution, erosion of soil and wild biodiversity, further reducing, in the long run, the productive potential as food needs increase.

 

The changing demand of consumers and society and the uncertainties in the face of climate change call for putting ecological functioning back at the heart of the agro-system in order to make our agriculture more sustainable, preserving and enhancing all its diversities.