Knowledge

Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are critical to our food systems. Biodiversity includes the wide diversity of genetic resources which underpin vibrant food systems. Pollinating animals like bees are so crucial for producing nutrient-rich crops that more than half of the population in some developing countries would experience malnutrition (nutrient deficiencies, especially of Vitamin A) if pollinators disappeared. The very diverse species that live in soils make up the often overlooked biodiversity that maintain healthy soils, helping micronutrients reach plants and ultimately our plates. Biodiversity in healthy ecosystems also plays a vital role in climate regulation, and in lessening the impact of floods, heatwaves and rainfall shortages on food production and people.