A Conservation Challenge

Large-scale mismanagement, globally

While agricultural operations provide unique opportunities to conserve biodiversity, they also can threaten wild species and spaces when not managed for conservation.

From habitat loss to pollution, agriculture contributes to many of the environmental challenges that WWF is actively addressing.

A Toxic Legacy
Pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxic farm chemicals can poison fresh water, marine ecosystems, air, and soil, and can remain in the environment for generations. Agriculture is the leading source of pollution in many countries; in the U.S. alone, 428,200 metric tons of pesticides are introduced to the environment every year. Many of these pesticides are suspected to disrupt the hormone messaging systems of humans and wildlife.

Losing ground
Expanding agricultural frontiers contribute to the rapid loss of forests and other habitats and their biodiversity every year. During the past 150 years, half of all agricultural topsoil has been lost as a result of unsustainable farming practices.

Climate Change
A variety of farming practices - from burning fields to using gasoline powered machinery - are significant contributors to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to some estimates, agriculture is responsible for about one fourth of the greenhouse gases altering the Earth's climate.

Water wars
Globally, the agricultural sector consumes about 69% of the planet's fresh water - more than twice that of industry (23%), and dwarfing municipal uses (8%). Without creative conservation measures, farms can quickly consume a dry region's water supplies.

Cycle of poverty
Three quarters of the world's extremely poor people live in rural areas where farming is the only option for fighting poverty and malnutrition. Although the surrounding land may be rich in biodiversity, cleared land frequently offers poor harvests. The result is a cycle of increasing poverty and biodiversity loss.