Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Synthesis for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

Abstract

The report summarizes the state of biodiversity for food and agriculture in the region, based largely on information provided in fourteen country reports submitted to FAO as part of the reporting process for the report on The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. Most reporting countries indicated that a lack of information, data monitoring systems, along with insufficient knowledge or research, is limiting their ability to map production systems and biodiversity for food and agriculture. Countries also reported that a number of species of associated biodiversity are being managed actively to promote the supply of ecosystem services, most commonly for soil formation and protection services, pollination, and habitat provisioning. The report suggests the need to consolidate policies and actions realted to biodiversity for food and agriculture, responsibility for which is now typically spread over several ministries within a given country (agriculture, environment, culture, natural resources, fisheries, development, etc.), creating institutional islands, miscommunication and competition. Moreover, the need for better information about illegal practices (e.g. in the case of fishing activities) and their impact on biodiversity conservation was also flagged as important, as well as better integration of biodiversity conservation and agricultural agendas.