Agriculture

In 2021, IUCN launched the IUCN Flagship Report Series, to help demonstrate the importance of conserving nature for human well-being and all life on Earth. This report, the second in the series, focuses on agriculture and nature. The interactions, synergies, and tradeoffs between the two sit at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for ending hunger and ensuring food security while also mandating the protection and restoration of nature.

Unsustainable agricultural practices are among the main causes of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution globally. It is thus essential to integrate environmental conservation practices in the agriculture sector when looking at pathways for a sustainable future. In this context, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) could be a critical tool for improving the status of productive landscapes.

Food is one of the basic needs for human life. At the same time, agriculture is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, driving 80% of deforestation and consuming 70% of freshwater resources globally. Conventional farming practices have further contributed to habitat degradation, soil depletion, and species loss. This report aims to provide a general overview of how the relationship between biodiversity and agriculture is assessed.

In 2021, IUCN launched the IUCN Flagship Report Series, to help demonstrate the importance of conserving nature for human well-being and all life on Earth. This report, the second in the series, focuses on agriculture and nature. The interactions, synergies, and tradeoffs between the two sit at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for ending hunger and ensuring food security while also mandating the protection and restoration of nature.

Biodiversity is context-specific, and there are no one-size-fits-all indicators or monitoring methodologies.

Soilless agriculture is a modern technology created to enable growing crops in an environment where traditional technologies are median. Several techniques stem from soilless agriculture e.g. hydroponics and aquaponics. Limited water resources, variations of precipitation and frequent droughts are typical challenges for arid areas. Hydroponics offer solutions to rationalize water consumption in arid to semi-arid areas particularly when agriculture is a main activity in those areas.

North-East Badia, Jordan, is inhabited by half a million Syrian refugees and an equal number of Jordanians, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. Working in the agricultural sector is characterized by low wages, long hours, poor working conditions, lack of occupational health and safety, and a high incidence of child labour. In addition, Jordan faces severe water scarcity, with annual demand roughly double the available supply and weak water resource management exacerbating the problem.

The main aim of this study is to develop an accounting framework that reflects the real contribution of agricultural land and pastureland to society.