TheFreeQuaker on Nostr: Biodiversity was a hallmark of human innovation until recently. Now we value ...
Biodiversity was a hallmark of human innovation until recently. Now we value efficiency over resilience. Here are 10 examples of how we too a big step backwards:
1. Corn: Thousands of traditional varieties reduced to a few hybrid types, with Yellow Dent dominating US commercial production.
2. Bananas: Over 300 traditional varieties, yet Cavendish represents ~47% of global production due to shipping durability.
3. Potatoes: 4,000+ native Peruvian varieties, while US commercial production relies primarily on Russet Burbank and a few others.
4. Apples: North American varieties declined from ~14,000 in 1800s to around 4,500 today, though many survive in heritage orchards.
5. Rice: Over 100,000 traditional varieties worldwide, with fewer than 30 varieties now comprising majority of global production.
6. Wheat: Vast genetic diversity reduced since Green Revolution, with most commercial production using a limited pool of semi-dwarf varieties.
7. Chickens: From hundreds of traditional breeds to industrial consolidation, with White Leghorns producing ~45% of global eggs.
8. Tomatoes: Several thousand heirloom varieties exist, but commercial production uses few varieties bred for shipping and uniformity.
9. Coffee: From diverse Ethiopian origins, global production now ~60% Arabica and ~40% Robusta, though many varieties persist locally.
10. Dairy Cows: Holstein-Friesian dominates global dairy, providing ~90% of US dairy production and spreading worldwide.
1. Corn: Thousands of traditional varieties reduced to a few hybrid types, with Yellow Dent dominating US commercial production.
2. Bananas: Over 300 traditional varieties, yet Cavendish represents ~47% of global production due to shipping durability.
3. Potatoes: 4,000+ native Peruvian varieties, while US commercial production relies primarily on Russet Burbank and a few others.
4. Apples: North American varieties declined from ~14,000 in 1800s to around 4,500 today, though many survive in heritage orchards.
5. Rice: Over 100,000 traditional varieties worldwide, with fewer than 30 varieties now comprising majority of global production.
6. Wheat: Vast genetic diversity reduced since Green Revolution, with most commercial production using a limited pool of semi-dwarf varieties.
7. Chickens: From hundreds of traditional breeds to industrial consolidation, with White Leghorns producing ~45% of global eggs.
8. Tomatoes: Several thousand heirloom varieties exist, but commercial production uses few varieties bred for shipping and uniformity.
9. Coffee: From diverse Ethiopian origins, global production now ~60% Arabica and ~40% Robusta, though many varieties persist locally.
10. Dairy Cows: Holstein-Friesian dominates global dairy, providing ~90% of US dairy production and spreading worldwide.