bioresources

Bioresources are renewable biological resources derived from living systems, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and ecosystems. They are used as sources of food, medicine, energy, materials, and ecological services, and they underpin the science and practice of the bioeconomy and sustainable development.

Common categories include agricultural crops, forestry products, fisheries and other aquatic resources, microbial cultures, and genetic material. Bioresources also encompass biological materials used in research and industry, such as enzymes, cell lines, and bio-based polymers.

Applications span nutrition, health, industrial biotechnology, energy, and environmental management. They contribute to food security, medicines, biofuels, biodegradable plastics, textiles, and cosmetics, as well as ecosystem services like pollination and carbon sequestration.

Sustainability and governance involve sustainable harvesting, conservation, and equitable use. Access and benefit-sharing frameworks, such as the Nagoya Protocol, govern how biological resources are accessed and how benefits are shared. Standards and certifications support traceability and responsible sourcing.

Challenges include overexploitation, habitat loss, climate change, and biopiracy, as well as intellectual property concerns and the need for equitable access to benefits among source communities and nations.