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The Galapagos Islands, off the west coast of Ecuador, are among the most important bastions of nature on our planet. The diversity of life here--hammerhead sharks, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises among them--prompted Charles Darwin 150 years ago to craft his theory on the origin and evolution of species. Today, we at another crossroads for nature, and indeed for all of humanity. Biodiversity continues to collapse at an alarming rate. But there is hope. UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative is working with the government of the archipelago and Quito’s San Francisco University on a crowdfunding campaign to support local communities. Anyone can send a . 

Experimental cultivation of water lily in the Senegal River delta is one of the RESSOURCE Project flagship initiatives. This engaging nature-friendly activity benefits and involves the local communities, such as rice-farmers, cooperatives of women and restaurant owners.

A tribute to our friends underground

reminds us that food is a basic human right. However, 690 million people still suffer from chronic hunger. Our challenge is to ensure the right to food for everyone, everywhere.

Mountains’ unique topography, compressed climatic zones, and isolation have created the conditions for a wide spectrum of life forms. Mountains provide great biodiversity and many endemic varieties of ecosystems, species and genetic resources. Their topography in terms of altitude, slope and exposure offers opportunities to grow a variety of high-value crops, horticulture, livestock and forest species. This year, for International Mountain Day (11 December), focuses in celebrating mountains as the home to half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and addresses the threats they face.

appoints the popular British gardening expert, writer and broadcaster, Monty Don, as Goodwill Ambassador to promote the International Year of Plant Health. FAO also appoints the Irish garden designer, writer, and broadcaster, Diarmuid Gavin, as Champion of the cause. The UN declared 2020 (extended into 2021 due to COVID-19) as the  to protect plant health to help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.

As the climate changes rapidly in many parts of the world, is encouraging the adoption of more resilient and efficient production systems such as Conservation Agriculture (CA).  If the world’s small-scale farmers are to achieve food security, soils must play a key role. At its core, CA minimises soil disturbance, provides permanent soil cover and diversifies crop production This is why FAO promotes sustainable soil management through initiatives such as the  and celebrates , to raise awareness on the importance of soil resources.

There are more living creatures in a single teaspoon of healthy soil - from tiny bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms - than there are people on Earth. Soil organisms are responsible for many critical ecosystem processes, on which humans depend: from supporting plant growth, to storing carbon and being a vast reservoir for pharmaceuticals. This year, for World Soil Day (5 December), the campaign addresses the increasing challenges of soil management and highlights the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being.

This animation gives a brief introduction on the main drivers, the key functions and challenges of soil biodiversity loss, indicating possible ways to enhance soil biodiversity as a nature-b

To take decisions, we need information – especially when we are trying to solve complex problems. Forests are home to most of the earth’s biodiversity, and they supply us with water, livelihoods and food. Reducing deforestation and managing the world’s forest resources sustainably is among the biggest challenges of our time. Just like the simple decisions we make every day, information is needed to make us aware of what is at stake and help us solve the problem. FAO provides countries with technical support and innovative tools to help them gather the data they need to monitor and protect their forests.

Improving the health of Southeast Asia’s largest lake

When we go about our daily routines, most of us are unaware that beneath our feet lies an outstandingly diverse community of plants, animals and microbes that makes up our soils. Soils are more than just “dirt” - they’re a major reservoir of global biodiversity, supporting agriculture and food security, regulating greenhouse gas emissions and promoting plant, animal and human health. Without them our world wouldn’t be the same.

Restoring an ecosystem in Costa Rica’s Jesús María River Basin

To promote among younger generations on the occasion of the International Year of Plnat Health, this video shows how plants sustain life on Earth, and what children can d

Two farmers in Ethiopia share their story on how looking after the land strengthens communities and helps biodiversity.