1. Gene Pools. The reduction in the gene pool of the main crops affects Developed countries much more than Developing countries. Developed countries are now dependent on developing countries for future varieties. Developed countries can be said to be "grain rich, but gene poor". In 1970 direct input of Developing countries' germplasm contributed about 25% of the North American wheat crop. By the late 1980s, developing countries provided the seed for about 2 billion dollars worth of US wheat, rice and maize.

2. Reducing biodiversity reduces the potential to find new food crops or medicines.

3. Islandisation. This describes the problem of species in reserves or other protected areas becoming cut off from each other and living in ever-smaller islands. Species may not have sufficient range to be able to maintain healthy genetic variability.

One way to improve the situation is to connect the reserves through a network of 'biological corridors'. However this often requires international co-operation.

The biodiversity Strategy for England -
' Working with the Grain of Nature'