Biodiversity, Agriculture &
Ecosystems
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What is Biodiversity
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Agrobiodiversity
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Biodiversity and Agriculture in the landscape
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extensification and intensification
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Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
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Agriculture and Ecosystem Services
Definitions of Biodiversity
CBD Article 2
‘The variability among living organisms and the
ecological complexes of which they are part,
including the diversity within species,
between species and of ecosystems.’
Reed Noss, "Indicators for Monitoring Biodiversity: A Hierarchial
Approach", Conservation Biology 4(4):355-364. 1990.
Definitions of Agricultural Biodiversity - 1
CBD Decision V/5, appendix
‘a broad term that includes all components of
biological diversity of relevance to food and
agriculture, and all components of agriculture that
constitute the agro-ecosystem:
the variety and variability of animals, plants and
micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and
ecosystem levels which are necessary to sustain the
key functions of the agro-ecosystem, its structure
and processes.’
Definitions of Agricultural Biodiversity – 2
‘a continuum from cultivated biodiversity to wild biodiversity’
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA 2005)
Cultivated or ‘planned’ biodiversity – crops, livestock,
aquaculture fisheries.
Associated biodiversity – supports agricultural
production through nutrient cycling, soil formation,
pest control, pollination, etc.
Additional or other biodiversity – also occurs within
the agricultural ecosystem.
Wild biodiversity outside agricultural ecosystems
Agrobiodiversity and Sugarcane
Cultivated / planned
biodiversity
sugarcane
Associated biodiversity
soil micro-organisms
(mineral cycling, pest control,
pollination, soil formation and
structure?)
Additional / other
biodiversity
Wild biodiversity outside
agricultural ecosystems
snakes, birds, insects,
rodents,…..
Agrobiodiversity and Cacao
Cultivated / planned
biodiversity
Cacao, fruits?, timber?,
medicines?, other NTFPs
Associated biodiversity
Pollinating insects?
soil micro-organisms
Shade trees
(mineral cycling, pest control, soil
formation and structure?)
Additional / other
biodiversity
Wild biodiversity outside
agricultural ecosystems
Plants, trees, fungi, reptiles,
amphibians, birds, insects,
mammals,…..
Agrobiodiversity and staple crops in PNG
(potato, taro, yams)
Cultivated / planned
biodiversity
Potato, taro, yams
Associated biodiversity
soil micro-organisms
(plants, insects & decomposers
in fallow vegetation?)
(mineral cycling, pest control, soil
formation and structure?)
Additional / other
biodiversity
Wild biodiversity outside
agricultural ecosystems
Plants, trees, fungi, reptiles,
amphibians, birds, insects,
mammals,…..
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment:
Focus on Ecosystem Services
The benefits people obtain from ecosystems
Focus: Consequences of Ecosystem Change for
Human Well-being
MA Conceptual Framework
Human Well-being and
Poverty Reduction
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Basic material for a good life
Health
Good Social Relations
Human
Security
Freedom of choice
and action
Well-being
Indirect Drivers of Change
 Demographic
 Economic (globalization, trade,
market and policy framework)
 Sociopolitical (governance and
Indirect framework)
institutional
 Science
and Technology
Drivers
 Cultural and Religious
Direct Drivers of Change
Ecosystem
Services
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Changes in land use
Species
introduction or removal
Direct
Technology adaptation and use
Drivers
External
inputs (e.g., irrigation)
Resource consumption
Climate change
Natural physical and biological
drivers (e.g., volcanoes)