2021 Annual report Scientific publications

Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems

This publication provides an overview of shared and unique sustainability elements of Indigenous Peoples' food systems, including natural resource management, market access, diet diversity, governance systems, and links to traditional knowledge and indigenous languages. While enhancing the learning on Indigenous Peoples food systems, it will raise awareness on the need to enhance the protection of Indigenous Peoples' food systems as a source of livelihood for the 476 million indigenous inhabitants in the world, while contributing to the Zero Hunger Goal. 

Articulating the effect of food systems innovation on the Sustainable Development Goals 

New technology is needed for our failing food systems but anticipating trade-offs is crucial to making sure fixes do not create unmanageable new problems. 

Crop genetic erosion: understanding and responding to loss of crop diversity 

In the largest-ever review ever conducted about the change in crop diversity over time, this publication argues that science can help mitigate, stem, and reverse loss of genetic diversity, for better productivity, resilience, and adaptive capacity in agriculture.

Extinction risk of Mesoamerican crop wild relatives 

This study reports the extinction risk of 224 wild relatives of some of the most important crops including chili pepper, maize, common bean, avocado, cotton, potato, squash and vanilla. Some 35% of the taxa selected for the study on The International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Conservation of crop wild relatives is vital for a food-secure future, argue the authors. 

Do we need a new science-policy interface for food systems? 

In the run-up to the first UN Food Systems Summit, scientists argued for an intergovernmental body that sets Paris Agreement-style targets for global food system transformation that could help both people and the planet. 

Development of the first axillary in vitro shoot multiplication protocol for coconut palms 

In a major breakthrough, scientists at the Alliance and KU Leuven succeeded in cloning coconut trees. This development, which is cost- and time-effective, could have major implications for confronting propagation problems facing one of the world’s most highly demanded tropical fruits. 

Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible 

A hidden planetary crisis has long been neglected that is as serious as the disappearance of species and degradation of habitats. This study by 28 authors from 16 countries shows that tracking the decline of genetic diversity – and doing something about it – is now more feasible than ever. 

Ten people-centered rules for socially sustainable ecosystem restoration 

As the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration begins, almost 50 authors from diverse backgrounds set out 10 rules for addressing human and social dimensions of restoration currently overlooked in ecosystem restoration. Greater inclusion will be critical to meeting restoration goals. 

Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals 

Food system transformation is urgent but rigorous, science-based monitoring to guide decision-making is needed to both inform and hold decision-makers accountable. Scientists propose a comprehensive monitoring agenda that cover five thematic domains. 

Are Tree Seed Systems for Forest Landscape Restoration Fit for Purpose? An Analysis of Four Asian Countries 

Current protected area networks in South and Southeast Asia fail to conserve socio-economically important native tree species and their seed sources, according to this region-wide threat assessment.