Food and agricultural systems

Linkages between agriculture and biodiversity

Instead of trying to understand agriculture in its own terms, acknowledge that agriculture ultimately comes out of nature. Right now agriculture is the No. 1 threat to biodiversity on the planet.

– Wes Jackson, pioneer & researcher in natural systems agriculture and one of the foremost figures in the international sustainable agriculture movement

Issues around current farming methods

In recent decades, the agricultural sector has significantly increased productivity and drastically reduced the number of food insecure people worldwide, but with high costs to nature.

In many parts of the world, intensification and expansion of agriculture has degraded soils and ecosystems, depleted water sources, and reduced biodiversity. As a result, farmers often have no choice but to search for new land to work or to use soil as a substrate with massive synthetic inputs.

Overuse of inputs is harming the long-term viability of farming because it damages soils, reduces biodiversity, and ultimately impairs our capacity to feed the world’s growing population. According to FAO, more than 25% of arable soils worldwide are degraded, and the equivalent of a soccer pitch of soil is eroded every five seconds.

Average yields have increased up to the 1990s but have been stagnating and even decreasing in some parts of the world since.

Future demand for food will increase as the human population grows, and the environmental footprint of agriculture is expected to increase with it. This demand must be satisfied under changing climatic conditions, which will affect the quality and quantity of agricultural produce (Ebi and Loladze, 2019).

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

Specific Targets under the SDGs

• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• SDG 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Percentage of arable soils worldwide that are degraded
• Rate of soil erosion
• Average yields of agricultural produce
• Environmental footprint of agriculture

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article highlights the issues surrounding current farming methods, which have negative impacts on biodiversity and the environment. These issues are connected to several SDGs. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) is relevant as it aims to ensure sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) is connected because the intensification and expansion of agriculture have depleted water sources. SDG 13 (Climate Action) is relevant as it emphasizes the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, which are affected by agricultural practices. Lastly, SDG 15 (Life on Land) is connected as it focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including those impacted by agriculture.

Based on the article’s content, specific targets can be identified. Target 2.4 under SDG 2 aims to ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. Target 6.6 under SDG 6 focuses on protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems. Target 13.1 under SDG 13 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards. Target 15.1 under SDG 15 aims to ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the percentage of arable soils worldwide that are degraded, the rate of soil erosion, average yields of agricultural produce, and the environmental footprint of agriculture. These indicators provide measurable data to assess the extent of soil degradation, erosion, productivity, and environmental impact caused by current farming methods.

In summary, the article addresses or connects to SDGs 2, 6, 13, and 15. Specific targets under these SDGs include ensuring sustainable food production systems, protecting water-related ecosystems, strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards, and conserving terrestrial ecosystems. The article mentions or implies indicators such as soil degradation, erosion rate, agricultural yields, and environmental footprint to measure progress towards these targets.

Source: iucn.org