Native Biodiversity: A Strategic Resource to Accelerate Bioeconomy Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) comprise one of the regions with the largest endowments of natural capital in the world due to its great diversity and specific endemism. For this region, natural resources are usually the basis of its economy. However, the rapid socio-economic growth of LAC has generated pressure on natural resources and a continued loss of biodiversity. This region faces new challenges that will allow it to adapt to progress in a sustainable way. Thus, it is essential to integrate biodiversity and traditional and scientific–technological knowledge into production processes. The bioeconomy emerges as an alternative to promote the socio-economic and environmental development of LAC, which each country must face with a territorial vision. The bioeconomy must be based on a strategy with three fundamental pillars: conservation, knowledge and sustainable use of resources. The bioeconomy generates added value and promotes long-term growth in the region, through the production of food and medicines, among others obtained from local biodiversity. In this regard, the possibility of carrying out sustainable development in different territories is extended. Thus, it is necessary to contribute to greater knowledge of native flora and promote its conservation and sustainable use through scientific research and technology transfer.