Biodiversity loss of vegetables threatens climate adaptation

Researchers identified a global database of 1482 vegetable species to highlight how the loss of biodiversity threatens food security and climate adaptation.

The study, published in the journal PNAS, warns that market homogenization and land use changes are causing native and wild species to disappear. Maarten van Zonneveld and other researchers note that many of these species lack protection in national or international gene banks.

The team warns that roughly 24 percent of wild relatives of 79 main vegetable species face extinction. This loss reduces the genetic resources available to help food systems adapt to changing climates. Prabhakar Rao, a natural farmer in Bengaluru, India, works to save these varieties by preserving seeds on his farm. While he has recovered hundreds of traditional varieties since 2011, he says these efforts represent only a small fraction of the diversity currently being lost.

Commercial challenges and fluctuating prices also make it difficult for small farmers to choose diverse crops over standard varieties. To address these issues, groups like the North East Society for Agroecology Support have launched school meal programs in Meghalaya, India. These programs include local and underutilized vegetables in menus for 26 schools. Experts say that protecting these species, promoting their consumption, and creating markets for producers are essential steps to build resilient food systems.