Biodiversity - Activities - Slow Food International

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to all the natural characteristics and forms of life present on Earth.

Our current biodiversity is the result of billions of years of evolution, molded by natural processes and, increasingly, human influence. It is the fabric of life, of which we humans are an integral part and on which we depend totally.

In general, when talking about biological diversity, we mean the large variety of plants, animals and microorganisms that populates the planet, but biodiversity also covers the genetic differences within individual species, such as the genetic diversity found in cultivated plants or livestock breeds. Another aspect of biodiversity is the variety of ecosystems found in deserts, forests, wetlands, mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, farmland and other environments. In every ecosystem all living beings, including humans, interact with each other and with the air, water and earth that surrounds them.

Biodiversity in the world’s oceans is still poorly understood, especially in understudied studied areas, such as the tropical oceans and the depths of the sea. However, marine ecosystems are exposed to multiple pressures that are commonly referred to as “global change.” The effects are observed throughout the planet: global warming, ocean acidification or overfishing; but they also happen at the regional level as is the case of eutrophication, contamination by toxins, invasive species or lack of oxygen.

If the Earth is the only place where human beings can live, it is precisely due to the connections between the different forms of life, which interact with each other and with the environment. Only biodiversity makes our existence possible, thanks to the wide range of goods and services it offers us. That is why it is vital to restore marine ecosystems and make sustainable use of them.

The Caribbean is one of the hot spots of biodiversity designated as a global priority for protection due to its high content of biological heritage and its precariousness.

The Ark of Taste travels the world collecting small-scale quality productions that belong to the cultures, history and traditions of the entire planet: an extraordinary heritage of fruits, vegetables, animal breeds, cheeses, breads, sweets, fish, shellfish…

Within the area of the Slow Fish Caribe there are already 20 different products in the Ark of Taste and two Slow Food Presidia.