Background
The issues surrounding biodiversity are complex. On the one hand, the conversion of natural ecosystems into large tracts of agricultural land results in more agricultural production and a better food supply. On the other hand, however, these developments threaten species diversity and thereby the self-sufficiency of local populations. The challenge is to use agricultural land considerately for the benefit of all stakeholders. Biodiversity is also important for medical research since natural and wild plants are often the basis for developing medicines.
Worldwide, there are an estimated 7,000 different plant species used for human nutrition, but rice, maize and wheat now provide more than 50% of all calories obtained from plant sources. In 2019, 75% of the food consumed by people worldwide comes from just 12 plant and five animal species. The diversity of agricultural plant species and varieties has declined sharply over the last century. In China, for example, there were more than 10,000 local wheat varieties in 1949, while barely 1,000 are still cultivated today. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), humanity has already lost three quarters of plant diversity that originally contributed to our diet.
This focus on a small number of grain and vegetable crops is inherently risky. Sufficient genetic diversity of crops provides long-term protection against unexpected plant pests and diseases.
At the global level, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity is geared towards the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of biodiversity. The FAO's Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture focuses more specifically on agrobiodiversity issues.
Under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Switzerland has pledged to double its international commitment within 10 years. As a country whose own species diversity is heavily threatened, Switzerland is thus contributing to global efforts to conserve biodiversity.