The page is for resources about the link between biodiversity, health, nutrition and livelihoods. We will post materials from our own research as well as from other sources.
Biodiversity and Nutrition
Bioversity International has an initiative on this subject. In its brochure it states “The reasons for malnutrition are complex, but a prime culprit is the simplification of diets. In the fast-growing cities of developing countries, people obtain most of their energy from refined carbohydrates (mainly wheat, rice and sugar), and processed oils and fats, all of which are now cheaper than they have ever been. Local and traditional foods are often more nutritious as part of a diverse diet but have been neglected and forgotten. There is a growing recognition that protein and calories are not enough, and that sufficient micronutrients are essential components of food security and an adequate diet.“
Nutritional Value of Foods
The FAO has a programme on Nutrition and Biodiversity in which it is compiling a data base on the nutritional composition of various foods. While the composition of various dairy products from different parts of the world is included, there is no information about the type of production system from which the product was obtained.
Indigenous Food Systems
Several initiatives are working on this angle
The Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty is running the Indigenous Foodsystem Network
Centre for Indigenous Peoples‘ Nutrition and Environment (CINE) based at McGill University, Canada
FAO also has produced a publication entitled INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’
FOOD SYSTEMS: the many dimensions of culture, diversity and environment for nutrition and health
Pasture raised meat
There is also copious literature on the health benefits of meat and milk from pasture raised animals http://eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm.
An important popular writer on this subject is the American author Michael Pollan.
However, currently there seems to be no research into these questions in a non-western or developing country context. This is one of the gaps that this project is trying to fill.
Information about Biocultural Community Protocols
http://www.community-protocols.org/
http://www.bioculturalheritage.org/
