Agricultural Biodiversity, sometimes called 'Agrobiodiversity', encompasses the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms which are necessary to sustain key functions of the agro-ecosystem, its structure and processes for, and in support of, food production and food security.
Agricultural Biodiversity provides:
i. Sustainable production of food and other agricultural products emphasising both strengthening sustainability in production systems at all levels of intensity and improving the conservation, sustainable use and enhancement of the diversity of all genetic resources for food and agriculture, especially plant and animal genetic resources, in all types of production systems.
ii. Biological or life support to production emphasising conservation, sustainable use and enhancement of the biological resources that support sustainable production systems, particularly soil biota, pollinators and predators.
iii. Ecological and social services provided by agro-ecosystems such as landscape and wildlife protection, soil protection and health (fertility, structure and function), water cycle and water quality, air quality, CO2 sequestration, etc.
UK Agricultural Biodiversity Coalition website. Comprehensive coverage of all issues concerning agricultural biodiversity's sustainable and equitable use, conservation, intellectual property, genetic engineering and governance. Principal CSO resource on t www.ukabc.org
Action group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration. Very relevant site of influential CSO, which contains full texts of key papers, commentaries, cartoons on issues of governance and use of agricultural biodiversity, biotechnology, genomics, nanotechn www.etcgroup.org
IPGRI, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, is the CGIAR international agricultural research centre mandated to work on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity. Website covers all practical and policy aspects - ma www.ipgri.cgiar.org/index.htm
The LinKS (Local indigenous Knowledge Systems) a regional effort in southern and East Africa aimed at valuing men and women's local knowledge on the use and management of agricultural biodiversity. Publications and other information about the project and www.fao.org/sd/LINKS/gebio.htm
An international non-governmental organisation which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge. Relevant information; links to Growing Diversity project re www.grain.org
SAVE is a European umbrella organization for the promotion and coordination of activities for the conservation of endangered breeds of domestic animals and cultivated plant varieties in the form of live populations. Site includes background to organisatio www.save-foundation.net
Documentation on the implementation of the CBD's Agricultural Biodiversity work programme (COP Decisions III/11, IV/6, V/5, VI/5 + VI/6 on International Seed Treaty) www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/agro
Website provides full access to all relevant FAO documents on the conservation and sustainable use of Biological Diversity for Food and Agriculture - genetic, species and ecosystems: programmes, plans, treaties, conventions. www.fao.org/biodiversity
Sustainable and participatory approaches to conservation of agricultural biodiversity within smallholder farmers' agricultural systems, and in participation with farmers. www.unu.edu/env/plec
Global initiative to strengthen the ongoing work of farming communities in conserving and developing the agricultural biodiversity that is vital to their livelihoods and food security. www.cbdcprogram.org
Includes a framework under which soil biodiversity can be assessed, managed and conserved with pointers to research, capacity building and policy and programme development needs. Case studies and full information. www.fao.org/ag/AGL/agll/soilbiod/default.htm
[PDF] This 1996 book provides a comprehensive introduction to agricultural biodiversity, with chapters on each major sector: crop genetic resources, farm animal diversity, fish and aquatic life, forests, soil biodiversity and microbial genetic resources. www.etcgroup.org/documents/other_human.pdf
Catalogue of publications focused on maintenance and enhancement of crop genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity through farmer participation; policy, planning and institutional changes necessary for seed security. www.odi.org.uk/rpeg/seedspubs.html
Paper by Villarroel (2002), for the UNEP Mountain Forum, analyses high mountain ecological productive rationality. Includes case study on "Mountain Tourism, and the Conservation of Biological and Cultural Diversity". www.mtnforum.org/resources/library/villt02a.htm
Site provides information on the Foundation's work on agricultural biodiversity conservation and protection of people's rights, livelihoods and environment from centralised systems of monoculture in forestry, agriculture and fisheries. Links to many natio www.vshiva.net
Joint Oxfam, Greenpeace, ILEIA, Pesticide Action Network site packed with examples of successful, environmentally responsible farming systems that protect the environment and agricultural biodiversity and increase food security. www.farmingsolutions.org
This UPWARD three-volume publication is a global compilation by scientists, development specialists, academics, policy-makers and donors. Vol. 1: understanding agricultural biodiversity, Vol. 2: strengthening local management of agricultural biodiversity, www.eseap.cipotato.org/upward/Abstract/Agrobio-sourcebook.htm
Includes information and case studies on the institutional conditions for 'successful' interventions, defined in terms of biological as well as economic parameters, derived from this GTZ / ODI / Darwin initiative project with African partners. www.africanfarmdiversity.net
As an outcome of an International Workshop "Managing Agricultural Biodiversity for Sustainable Development" held in Nairobi, Kenya 23-25 October 2003, a new Research Unit has been set up at IPGRI, Rome. Announcement and links to relevant papers. Side Even ipgri-pa.grinfo.net/index.php?itemid=386
An IIED programme identifying how decentralised governance, farmer participation and capacity building promote the adaptive management of agricultural biodiversity in the context of local food systems and livelihoods. Case studies in India, Indonesia, Ira www.diversefoodsystems.org/background.html
Research into agricultural biodiversity of extinct and live populations of rare breeds and cultivated plants. Find descriptions of projects, publications, contacts and links. In English and German. www.monitoring-inst.de
Supporting agricultural biodiversity conservation and sustainable and equitable planning for implementing "Agricultural biodiversity for Sustainable Food and Livelihood Security" programmes that increase collective strength and generate international supp www.mssrf.org/bioinformatics/fric/fricmain.htm
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