Addis Ababa: The genetic diversity of the world’s plants and forests is under threat, new reports published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the report stresses that empowering farmers, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and scientists to conserve and use genetic resources is key to resilient agrifood systems. This risk is posing a significant risk to global food security and environmental stability, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect genetic resources crucial for sustaining agrifood systems in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Second Report on the State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources reveal alarming trends, including the disappearance of more than 40 percent of surveyed plant taxa from their natural or cultivated habitats and the endangerment of nearly one-third of tree species.
Plant genetic resources encompass the genetic material of both domesticated and wild plant species that hold value for food, agriculture, and other industries, including medicine and fiber production. These resources are vital for ensuring crop resilience, adapting to environmental changes, and preserving traditional agricultural practices, particularly among Indigenous and small-scale farmers.
FAO’s Third Report highlights concerning losses in plant diversity while also noting some progress in conservation efforts. Since 2009, the preservation of plant materials in germplasm collections has increased by eight percent, ensuring that crucial genetic resources remain available for future breeding programs. Additionally, the global seed market has expanded significantly, growing from $36 billion in 2007 to over $50 billion in 2020. Improvements in seed systems, particularly in developing countries, have facilitated farmers’ access to diverse and suitable crop varieties.
However, challenges remain, as progress in conservation and sustainable use has been uneven. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the urgency of these efforts, stating, ‘Strengthening the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources is not just an agricultural priority – it is a fundamental necessity for ensuring a more sustainable, resilient and food-secure future for all.’
The Second Report on the State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources presents a similarly stark picture for the world’s trees and woody plants. With approximately 58,000 tree species globally, along with 1,600 woody bamboo species and 500 rattans (climbing palms), forests play a crucial role in ecological balance and human livelihoods. Yet, about 30 percent of tree species are now threatened, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
While the availability of information on forest genetic resources has improved over the past decade, the report notes that many species remain inadequately studied, hindering conservation efforts. Around two-thirds of countries maintain national inventories of forest genetic resources, with more than 2,800 tree and woody plant species reported. Of these, nearly 1,800 have been genetically characterized, while approximately 1,400 and 1,100 species are included in in situ (natural habitat) and ex situ (seed banks and botanical gardens) conservation programs, respectively.
However, deforestation, climate change, wildfires, pests, and invasive species continue to threaten tree diversity. Although widely distributed tree species retain much of their genetic diversity, rare and threatened species have already lost significant portions of their genetic variation. Moreover, shortages in tree seeds and other reproductive materials pose challenges for reforestation efforts and the global target of increasing forest area by three percent by 2030.
Despite the vital role of forest genetic resources in sustainable development, FAO warns that international awareness remains low, necessitating stronger commitments to conservation initiatives. ‘Investing in forest genetic resources and managing them sustainably will enable the adaptation of the world’s forests to climate change while also increasing productivity and developing new products; it will help safeguard human well-being and maintain forest health,’ QU Dongyu stated in the report’s foreword.
The publication of these reports coincided with the 20th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, where governments and non-state actors discussed strategies to protect and promote genetic diversity in agrifood systems.
Both reports call for the full implementation of global conservation plans, including the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Forest Genetic Resources. Additionally, strengthening human and institutional capacities, enhancing research, and promoting sustainable management practices are critical to addressing these challenges.
With food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience at stake, the FAO urges immediate action to prevent further loss of plant and forest genetic resources. Without decisive measures, the world risks undermining the very foundations of its agrifood systems and natural ecosystems.