Agricultural Biodiversity: A Key Element of Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Food Security *

There is growing worldwide realization that biodiversity is fundamental to agricultural production and food security as well as a valuable ingredient of ecosystem health and environmental conservation. Yet predominant patterns of agricultural and economic growth have eroded biodiversity in agroecosystems, including plant and animal genetic resources. This erosion has caused economic losses, jeopardizing productivity and food security in some areas and leading to broader social costs. Equally alarming is the loss of biodiversity in natural habitats from the expansion of agricultural production to frontier areas.