The Bioeconomy–Biodiversity Nexus: Enhancing or Undermining Nature’s Contributions to People?

Abstract

Bioeconomy has become fundamental for a post-fossil-resources society, in line with climate change mitigation ambitions. Although it does not have a single, consensual definition, the bioeconomy encompasses various bio-based value chains and economic activities relying on biodiversity. How these burgeoning developments may affect biodiversity, however, still needs further examination. This article explores the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus through the lens of nature’s contributions to people (NCPs). Drawing from the bioeconomy literature and Amazonian experiences, we argue that the bioeconomy may: (i) help conserve or restore habitats, (ii) improve knowledge on biodiversity, (iii) valorize livelihoods and increase social participation, and (iv) aid in moving beyond the commodification of nature. However, none of these achievements can be taken for granted. To date, the bioeconomy has focused mainly on extracting goods from nature (e.g., food, energy, or biochemicals), often at the expense of NCPs that require integral ecosystems and are decisive for a sustainable society in the longer run. Moreover, we assert that it is critical to discern the beneficiaries of various contributions, as “people”, in reality, are composed of distinct groups that relate differently to nature and have different preferences regarding trade-offs. The NCPs framework can help broaden synergies in the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus, but inclusive governance remains critical.

A Collaborative, Systems Approach for the Development of Biomass-Based Value Webs: The Case of the Acrocomia Palm

“…The conceptualized acrocomia value web is considered a territorially embedded social-ecological system, additionally suggesting the need for territorial approaches to the governance of these systems [129,130,132,141]. Context-dependent factors and territorial settings (e.g., biophysical, socio-economic, stakeholders' norms, and values) require active consideration in the design and development of acrocomia value webs as there are no 'one-size-fits-all' solutions [5,108,132,[142][143][144].…”

“…To meet these demands sustainably, novel biobased production systems that deliver both biomass and multiple ecosystem services need to be identified and developed [2]. In this context, the sustainable intensification of agriculture [3] and the use of novel plants and underutilized crops are key [4,5]. Thus, agricultural diversification Land 2022, 11, 1748 2 of 31 based on the local diversity of vascular plants has the potential to establish multi-functional production systems for the bioeconomy.…”

“…In this way, it could contribute to various ecosystem services in addition to the provision of biomass. Moreover, various communities in Latin America have benefitted from natural populations of acrocomia for a long time in diverse ways, demonstrating the possibility and need to implement inclusive strategies that provide livelihood options to smallholder farmers in rural areas [5,8,11,15,16,23,25,[27][28][29][30][31][32]. Brazil and Paraguay are leading the development of value chains based on acrocomia fruits and first cultivation systems are in the establishment phase [6][7][8]11,27].…”

Policy documents considering biodiversity, land use, and climate in the European Arctic reveal visible, hidden, and imagined nexus approaches

“…Solutions to current socio-environmental problems cannot be designed by focusing on single challenges 27 ; instead, holistic approaches are needed. 28,29 We consider a nexus approach as a key for Arctic policies to cope with the intertwined socio-environmental challenges. According to Wormbs and So ¨rlin, 30 ''no other region of the world has as many scientific assessments per capita as the Arctic''.…”

Bioeconomia do cacau no estado do Amazonas

“…A bioeconomia na Amazônia não será completamente efetivada através da adoção das concepções dominantes sobre o tema concebidas no Norte Global em contextos socioecológicos diferentes e insuficientes para contemplar a complexidade dos desafios presentes no bioma (Bergamo, Zerbini, Pinho & Moutinho, 2022). Mais recentemente, as perspectivas de bioeconomia compatíveis com as características do Sul Global, especialmente da Amazônia, têm avançado (Abramovay et al, 2021;Amazonas, 2021;Bastos Lima & Palme, 2022;Bergamo, Zerbini, Pinho & Moutinho, 2022;Costa et al, 2021;Nobre & Nobre, 2018;Saes et al, 2023).…”