The role of biodiversity in the agri-food supply chain: from farm to fork

Biodiversity is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of ecological balance and a fundamental condition for sustaining human life. Agri-food systems fundamentally depend on biodiversity, and the ecosystem services it provides, including soil fertility, genetic diversity, and erosion control. This thesis examines how biodiversity conservation can be integrated across the agri-food supply chain through governance mechanisms, market-based instruments, and consumer engagement. The research comprises three interconnected studies. The first analyzes 22 biodiversity-oriented value-chain contracts within the European Union, identifying seven structural types distinguished by stakeholder configurations, incentive schemes, and monitoring systems. The findings highlight the complementary roles of private actors, primarily responsible for financing and implementation, and public institutions, which foster awareness, coordination, and farmer participation. Effective outcomes rely on a balanced combination of action-based and result-based measures, supported by credible verification systems and trust-based relationships. The second study evaluates 44 food-related eco-labels using the DPSIR framework and the TEEB ecosystem service classification. Results indicate that most labels promote genetic diversity, soil fertility, and erosion prevention. Multi-criteria schemes such as Naturland, KRAV, and Rainforest Alliance demonstrate broad ecological coverage, whereas origin- and animal welfare-based labels exhibit limited biodiversity relevance. Notably, no label is explicitly dedicated to biodiversity, revealing a significant gap and the need for a targeted certification system capable of making biodiversity performance transparent and measurable. The third study investigates consumer preferences in short fruit and vegetable supply chains across five Mediterranean countries using PLS-SEM. Trust in certifications, attention to label information, environmental concern, and younger age significantly increase willingness to pay for biodiversity-friendly products. Overall, the findings demonstrate that effective integration of biodiversity into agri-food systems requires well-designed contractual frameworks, credible and transparent labeling schemes, and consumer trust aligned with environmental objectives.