Crop diversity trends captured by Indigenous and local knowledge: introduction to the symposium

Agricultural systems are central to human well-being, providing food, materials, and medicines. However, intensive farming practices drive significant environmental degradation, which is exacerbated by challenges such as climate change and unequal global consumption patterns. Increasing evidence suggests that biodiversity in agricultural systems, encompassing the diversity of crop species and varieties that support agroecosystem functioning and human values, could be a crucial asset in supporting transformations towards sustainability. While agrobiodiversity is under threat due to various human and environmental pressures, crop diversity trends, particularly at the local scale, as well as the drivers of these trends, are insufficiently addressed. This symposium addresses this gap by emphasising the role of Indigenous and local knowledge in understanding crop diversity management and its dynamics through time and space. The articles in this symposium examine crop diversity trends in understudied regions, employing methods rarely used in agrobiodiversity studies, including semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and participatory workshops. Overall, the works presented here reveal a decline in the diversity of traditional crop species and varieties, as well as the adoption of high-yielding varieties influenced by economic, political, climatic, and sociocultural factors. Key findings highlight the nuanced insights of Indigenous and local knowledge into these trends, providing a deeper understanding of the role of agrobiodiversity in sustainability and adaptive strategies. A key implication of the findings presented here is the need for more inclusive policies that recognise the importance of complementing plural knowledge systems in supporting diversified agroecological cropping systems grounded in diverse socio-cultural values and lifestyles. This evidence emphasises the importance of integrating socio-cultural drivers and evolving demographics more effectively into future research. A more holistic approach is crucial for developing adaptive and, consequently, resilient agricultural systems that thrive in the face of local and global challenges while preserving agrobiodiversity for future generations.