Biodiversity, food and society

Global food systems have a profound impact on biodiversity. Maintaining biodiversity both within the food system, in terms of crops grown and animals reared, as well as biodiversity in surrounding areas, is central to biosphere integrity. This entry discusses how the development of the dominant industrial food system has impacted biodiversity. Synergistic relationships with other factors affecting food systems, such as climate change, dietary preferences, agroecology and traditional environmental knowledge, are discussed in terms of which factors damage, and which can help maintain biodiversity. Questions regarding the future of biodiversity in a changing climate, and changing food system, are introduced.