Quantifying the biodiversity pressures of fruit and vegetable consumption in the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Globally, fruit and vegetable consumption must increase to improve human health. Production must increase to meet demand, potentially pressuring biodiversity. Here, we describe new biodiversity-pressure metrics, which we use to compare the biodiversity pressures associated with fruits and vegetables consumed in the United Kingdom (UK), India, and South Africa. We found that biodiversity pressure for individual crops varies greatly with origin. In all three countries, imported fruits are typically associated with greater pressure than domestically grown fruits. In India and South Africa, domestically supplied vegetables generally have a greater biodiversity pressure than those which are imported. Oranges, popular in the UK and South Africa, have a biodiversity pressure (mean: 391 species.hectares/tonne; SD: 446) almost three times higher than bananas (mean: 141 species.hectares/tonne; SD: 148) - a favourite in the UK and India. Our findings provide evidence to support decisions to develop sustainable food systems for better planetary health.