The Rainforest Alliance has been working with coffee and tea farmers in East Africa for more than 30 years to advance sustainable agriculture practices across vulnerable landscapes and watersheds. Rainforest Alliance’s vision for the region is to build and reinforce connections among farming communities, commodity companies, civil society organizations, and governments, and to promote sustainable production practices to benefit people and nature through an integrated landscape management approach.

The post The Rainforest Alliance’s work in East Africa appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

Key Messages

1. Preserving peatlands: Paludiculture aims to conserve peat by maintaining high water tables, which are crucial for inhibiting decomposition and facilitating peat formation. By cultivating facultative or obligate wetland plants, paludiculture fosters conditions conducive to peat conservation.
2. Sustainable utilization: While harnessing biomass for economic purposes, paludiculture ensures the sustainability of peatlands. By selectively harvesting aboveground biomass and avoiding disturbance to underground parts, it minimizes disruptions to peat formation processes, thereby promoting long-term sustainability.
3. Diverse applications: Paludiculture encompasses various agricultural systems, including permanent grassland and cropping techniques. These methods not only offer economic opportunities but also contribute to nature conservation objectives, provided careful consideration is given to regional regulations and species selection to prevent adverse environmental impacts.

The post Potential paludiculture plants of the holarctic appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

The briefing identifies three main categories of constraints impacting gender equality within agrifood systems: structural barriers, land tenure, and resource access. Through case studies from Guatemala, Indonesia, and Kenya, it explores initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. The insights gleaned from these studies offer valuable lessons to understand what has worked to drive changes in behavior and practice.

Key messages

The post Advancing gender equality and agrifood systems: what’s working? appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

How can landscape approaches tackle biodiversity loss?

Learn about the vital role of biodiversity and its impact on environments and societies. Discover landscape approaches, a holistic method addressing biodiversity loss by integrating conservation, production, and consumption. Learn how these approaches balance economic priorities with environmental sustainability and provide insights into social and ecological processes.

The video advocates for a comprehensive strategy, emphasizing resilience, rights, and governance to address the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human communities. Join us at the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on integrated land use, dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on climate change.

About Blended Learning for Biodiversity in Agriculture

The Global Landscapes Forum, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research and Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO), addresses the critical need for informed policy decisions in the agriculture and environment sectors through a comprehensive six-module course. Specifically targeting government and technical experts capable of influencing policy, this initiative focuses on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, aligning with FAO’s goals for a sustainable and diverse environment.

The post Biodiverse Landscapes – A Landscape Approach for Biodiversity appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

Can biodiversity revolutionize agroecosystems for resilience?

Discover how agroecosystems rely on biodiversity at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels for essential services like soil structure, nutrient cycling, and pollination. Uncover the resilience these systems gain from biodiversity, making them more robust against disturbances.

The video calls for a return to biodiverse and sustainable agricultural practices by integrating traditional knowledge with science. Questioning the marginalization of traditional knowledge, it advocates for its re-application in modern educational and agricultural systems for transformative change.

About Blended Learning for Biodiversity in Agriculture

The Global Landscapes Forum, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research and Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO), addresses the critical need for informed policy decisions in the agriculture and environment sectors through a comprehensive six-module course. Specifically targeting government and technical experts capable of influencing policy, this initiative focuses on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, aligning with the FAO’s goals for a sustainable and diverse environment.

The post The Ecology of Agriculture appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

What is biodiversity-friendly agriculture and how can it transform our economies?

Explore how biodiversity-friendly practices in agriculture sustain economies, societies, and the environment. Learn about indigenous crops, agroecology, and agroforestry, enhancing livelihoods and biodiversity. Discover the need for integration from policy to practice for transformative change.

About Blended Learning for Biodiversity in Agriculture

The Global Landscapes Forum, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research and Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO), addresses the critical need for informed policy decisions in the agriculture and environment sectors through a comprehensive six-module course. Specifically targeting government and technical experts capable of influencing policy, this initiative focuses on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, aligning with the FAO’s goals for a sustainable and diverse environment.

The post Biodiversity Friendly Approaches appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

This course is a pivotal contribution to FAO’s vision of fostering a Better Environment, particularly focusing on Biodiversity for food and agriculture. Aligned with FAO’s strategic initiatives, the course is fortified by the approval of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors and the 2021-23 Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of targeted policies and practices for sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems.

Key Messages

1. Strategic Alignment: The course directly aligns with FAO’s strategic goals, emphasizing the integration of Biodiversity for food and agriculture into policy and practice.
2. Council Approval: Endorsement by the FAO Council, including the Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity and the 2021-23 Action Plan, underscores the significance of the course in advancing biodiversity initiatives.
3. Facilitator Support: The course provides comprehensive support to facilitators through visual course and assessment diagrams, enabling effective decision-making in module selection for diverse learner groups.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17528/GLF/TM.35698

The post Learning pathway: Course flows & blueprint appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

Who this course is for

This course targets a diverse group of participants, including environmentalists, agricultural professionals, students, and policymakers. Whether one is looking to deepen their understanding of sustainable practices, aiming to implement changes in their work, or simply passionate about biodiversity and agriculture, this course will offer valuable insights and practical skills.

Course content

• Interplay Between Agriculture and Biodiversity: Learn how biodiversity and agriculture support each other and explore the systemic thinking and landscape approaches necessary for sustainable agricultural practices.
• Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture: Dive into the drivers of biodiversity loss and discover sustainable pathways for food production that support biodiversity.
• Global Policy and Biodiverse Agriculture: Examine the role of agriculture in global policy arenas, including international treaties and frameworks that support biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices.

Learning objectives

Upon completing, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of:

• Adopt a systemic lens to understand the deeply interdependent role of biodiversity, agriculture and livelihoods in landscapes.
• Holistically understand the challenges and opportunities of agriculture and biodiversity.
• Evaluate the importance of the global policy arena and integrate the changing position of global priorities towards food production and biodiversity.

About Blended Learning for Biodiversity in Agriculture

The Global Landscapes Forum, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research, addresses the critical need for informed policy decisions in the agriculture and environment sectors through a comprehensive six-module course. Specifically targeting government and technical experts capable of influencing policy, this initiative focuses on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, aligning with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) goals for a sustainable and diverse environment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17528/GLF/TM.35699

The post Module 1: Biodiverse Agriculture in Landscapes appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed to target participants interested in the nexus of agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainable development. It is ideal for environmentalists, agricultural professionals, students, policymakers, and anyone keen on understanding and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices that promote biodiversity.

Course Content

1. Understanding the ecology of agriculture:
   Dive into the ecological foundations of agriculture, exploring how agriculture can function as a domesticated, human-managed ecosystem, and the management of biodiversity within agricultural contexts.
2. Sustainable and Biodiversity-Friendly Agriculture:
   Examine sustainable, biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices and approaches, transitioning from uniformity to diversity, and understanding the principles of sustainable and integrated approaches across landscapes.
3. An Integrated Approach to Agriculture:
   Learn about managing multi-functionality and integrated approaches for a healthy planet, focusing on creating sustainable agricultural landscapes that support biodiversity at all levels.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the ecological processes essential for agriculture and the sustainable management of biodiversity within agricultural systems.
• Learn to identify, analyze, and apply sustainable and biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices.
• Understand the significance of integrating these principles and practices across scales for the benefit of our planet.

About Blended Learning for Biodiversity in Agriculture

The Global Landscapes Forum, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research, addresses the critical need for informed policy decisions in the agriculture and environment sectors through a comprehensive six-module course. Specifically targeting government and technical experts capable of influencing policy, this initiative focuses on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, aligning with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) goals for a sustainable and diverse environment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17528/GLF/TM.35700

The post Module 2: Integrating Biodiversity In Agriculture appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.

Who this white paper is for

The white paper outlines a needs assessment and repository for a Blended Learning Programme on Biodiversity in Agriculture, aligning with FAO goals and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Tailored for policy professionals in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and the environment, the methodology includes expert input, multi-stakeholder dialogues, CBD glossaries, and analysis of FAO’s Biodiversity Action Plan, ensuring a comprehensive approach.

Key messages

• There is a significant gap between global institutional perspectives and on-the-ground approaches to biodiversity mainstreaming.
• Discrepancies exist between national agricultural policies and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
• Proposed solutions include a focus on ecological functioning, promoting landscape-level governance, and addressing stakeholders’ needs through six identified themes, supported by a repository of resources from organizations like CIFOR-ICRAF, FAO, IPBES, GLF, and CBD.

About Blended Learning for Biodiversity in Agriculture

The Global Landscapes Forum, in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research, addresses the critical need for informed policy decisions in the agriculture and environment sectors through a comprehensive six-module course. Specifically targeting government and technical experts capable of influencing policy, this initiative focuses on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, aligning with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) goals for a sustainable and diverse environment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17528/GLF/TM.35701

The post White Paper: Needs Assessment & Repository appeared first on Global Landscapes Forum.