In a recent episode of The Homeless Romantic podcast, Dr. Andrew MacDougall, a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and renowned biodiversity expert, discussed the importance of biodiversity in global rangelands and its connection to food security.
The podcast, hosted by Chris Jeffries, delved into the definition of biodiversity and why it matters. Dr. MacDougall explained that biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including species diversity, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. He emphasized that biodiversity is not just about saving individual species but also about preserving entire ecosystems and the services they provide to humans.
Dr. MacDougall also discussed the significant threats to biodiversity, including habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation of resources. He also highlighted rangelands’ challenges, including climate change, land-use change, and overgrazing. These pressures can lead to declines in biodiversity and productivity, threatening food security for local communities.
Throughout the interview, Dr. MacDougall emphasized the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address biodiversity’s complex challenges. He said conservation efforts must involve collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and communities and consider the social, economic, and cultural factors affecting biodiversity.
Food from Thought-supported researchers such as Dr. MacDougall are working to address these challenges by developing strategies to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. They are exploring the use of traditional ecological knowledge and modern science to identify and conserve important plant and animal species, as well as developing sustainable practices that can support livestock production and biodiversity conservation.
To learn more about this important work, visit https://foodfromthought.ca/research/biodiversity/
Watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/7qwtSAJYnOE