Biodiversity and the Diets and Health of Forest Dwellers

Forest ecosystems contribute to the diets and subsistence of forest dwellers, and in increasingly market-oriented economies they provide a significant portion of the food and medicines consumed by urban populations. Recognition that the sustainable use of forest resources is essential for local livelihoods and the well-being of national populations provides a foundation for investment in conservation of forest biodiversity and its integration with objectives of poverty reduction, food security and disease reduction in development policies. However, it is first necessary to demonstrate more fully that biodiversity is indispensable for combating malnutrition and diseases of vulnerable populations in a global context of unprecedented population growth and resource demand. This article outlines key components of the link between forest biodiversity and the viability of contemporary food systems.