Abstract:
This paper reviews the agroecosystems and agricultural biodiversity in Southern Africa and highlights
the importance of the agricultural landscape in biodiversity conservation and the important role that the
traditional farming systems play in conserving biodiversity. The review established that agrobiodiversity
is of great importance to both small scale and large commercial farmers in Southern Africa through its
provision of ecosystem services. The paper also highlights the significant loss of agrobiodiversity as a
result of human population pressure and the transition from traditional mixed farming systems which is
characterized with high agrobiodiversity, to modern monoculture farming resulting in decline of species
diversity. Although concerted efforts are being made to promote the sustainable use and management of
this agrobiodiversity, there need to have a multi-stakeholder approach so that conservation efforts are
successful, a role that is currently played by the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Southern African
conservation of agrobiodiversity
