Based on information from 91 countries and 27 international organizations, analysis of global literature and data, as well as contributions from over 175 authors and reviewers, "The State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture" assesses biodiversity and its management worldwide. Important drivers for both positive and negative trends in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity are identified and production practices that promote biodiversity are presented.

Diverse and healthy food can only be produced on the basis of biodiversity, and the FAO report provides a solid basis for the design of such sustainable food systems. However, as diversity is declining sharply worldwide according to the report, protection measures are urgently needed.