Why do we need to understand the impact of our food system on biodiversity? Biodiversity, which is the shortened form of biological diversity, is an important aspect of any environment. It sums up all living organisms, such as plants, animals and microorganisms, existing and working together to maintain balance within an ecosystem. However, this diversity in biological species is being depleted and altered in an event known as biodiversity loss, and our food systems play a significant role.
Why is biodiversity important?
Biodiversity is important to maintain all processes that support life on earth. It involves different species of organisms striving to achieve a healthier ecosystem. These diverse organisms are necessary for natural processes like pollination, climate regulation, maintaining clean air and water quality, promoting soil fertility, etc. And these processes closely impact the health of the planet and that of humans. Consequently, to achieve a functioning and resilient ecosystem, we must prevent the loss of biodiversity.
What is biodiversity loss?
Understanding biodiversity loss and its impact is quite easy. Just imagine a forest flourishing with different kinds of wildlife. Now, picture that same ecosystem stripped bare of these life forms due to the various human activities. This analogy rightly depicts what biodiversity loss is. Biodiversity loss, thus, is an ongoing process that reduces or completely removes organisms from a given habitat. It occurs in forms such as decline and extinction in species population, environment degradation, and the decline in genetic variety among organisms. Therefore, biodiversity loss is not just about organisms disappearing from their habitats, it is an irreplaceable loss of species and their unique ecosystems.
What factors contribute to biodiversity loss?
Biodiversity loss does not occur in isolation. Hence, we must understand the different contributing factors. Several human activities put increased pressure on the planet and thereby drive biodiversity loss. Reports attest to an overall decline in the global population of vertebrate animals, such as mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, with an estimated decline of 69% between 1970 and 2022.
Habitat loss or destruction stands out as a major driver of biodiversity loss. With activities like expansion in agricultural activities, urbanization, land clearing and deforestation, several species are losing their habitats. In these events, animals are rendered homeless and also upset the delicate balance in ecosystems. Additionally, climate change is also emerging as a threat to biodiversity. Organisms are being pushed to the brink by the rise in temperature, ocean acidification, and shifting weather patterns.
How is the food system affecting biodiversity?
Unsustainable agricultural practices that characterize modern food systems are a significant contributor to biodiversity loss. Some of these practices include intensive livestock farming, industrial agriculture, and intensification of agricultural production. In a report by the Chatham House, the global food system is described as a significant factor leading to biodiversity loss, thereby calling for a change in the way we produce food. The report identifies agriculture as a single threat to 86% of species at risk of extinction. Below are some of the ways our food systems drive biodiversity loss.
- Through unsustainable intensification of agricultural production
Intensification describes the event where we increase agricultural inputs to produce more yields. These inputs could take the form of chemical inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, etc. or processes like those that allow the degradation of land by grazing farmed animals. All these inputs and processes affect water, air, and soils and, in turn, damage non-target organisms, thereby upsetting the ecological balance.
- Through the conversion of habitat
In large-scale agriculture, vast expanses of land are cleared for cultivation, causing the destruction of the natural habitats of some organisms. Some of these habitats include forests, grasslands, and wetlands. As a result, different animal and plant species are driven into extinction.
- Through unsustainable practices like monocropping
Monoculture farming is the practice of growing a single crop on a large expanse of land. This unsustainable practice, widely prevalent in industrial agriculture, leads to a reduction in biodiversity due to the disruption of natural habitats, depletion of soil nutrients, increased susceptibility to diseases and pests, and pollution from the use of insecticides and pesticides.
- Through the event of climate change
Through its contribution to climate change, our food system indirectly drives loss in biodiversity. Changes in climate disrupt these organisms by causing an undesirable change in their environment.
- Animal agriculture
Intensive farming of livestock impacts biological diversity. The large expanse of land required for producing feed and animal grazing contributes to habitat destruction and deforestation. Additionally, animal agriculture is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases and thus contributes to climate change.
What must be done?
To protect biodiversity, we must transform our food system to allow for practices that are wildlife and biodiversity-friendly. We must transition into sustainable agricultural practices such as crop rotation and organic farming. Similarly, adopting agroforestry practices, which combines both agricultural and forestry technologies for efficient land use, offers tremendous benefits for the conservation of biodiversity.
Also, it is vital to adjust our dietary choices to those that allow for more plant-based options. This will help reduce the pressure on the distribution of biological species. It’s no news that the environmental footprint of animal agriculture is significantly high. Therefore, cutting down on meat consumption is essential. Fortunately, plant-based diets are a healthier and environmentally sustainable alternative.
Furthermore, governments also have a crucial role in creating policies that promote biodiversity conservation and a sustainable food system. Policies like those that reduce deforestation, protect natural ecosystems, encourage plant-based dietary transition, and provide incentives for sustainable agricultural practices can make our food system more resilient. These will consequently reduce the loss of biological diversity.
To conclude, we must address the impact of our food systems on biodiversity loss to achieve a healthier planet and sustainable future. What we eat and how we produce them are vital factors to consider in creating more balanced ecosystems. By shifting towards plant-based food and sustainable farming methods, encouraging supportive government policies, and taking more concerted action, we are reducing the impact of our food system on biodiversity.