Food supply chains are closely dependent on biodiversity, and its preservation is essential to them. However, biodiversity is experiencing an unprecedented global decline linked to five main causes, to which food supply chains contribute significantly:
Changes in land use, mainly due to the intensification and expansion of agricultural land, leading to the destruction, degradation, and fragmentation of habitats or the degradation of soils and their functions.
Water, soil, and air pollution, and the resulting deterioration of water quality.
The direct exploitation of certain organisms leading to the overexploitation of biological resources when removals from the natural environment are excessive (overfishing, unmanaged hunting, etc.)
Climate change, which alters the range of animal and plant species.
The proliferation of invasive alien species, which pose a threat to nearly one-third of threatened terrestrial species and to the functioning of ecosystems.