Criteria for choice of case studies:

• existence of local resource management platforms or fora (e.g. farmer field schools, local resource user groups, farmer cooperatives, co-management bodies, indigenous peoples’ institutions)
  
  
• large scale initiative that includes many farming communities over relatively large geographical areas
  
  
• case studies to be drawn from a number of agroecosystems and landscape types, with no attempt to seek fully representative samples across all agroecosystem and landscape types.
  
  
• good potential to significantly enhance understanding on the multiple functions of agricultural biodiversity (e.g. contributions to food security, livelihoods and culture; life support functions that support agricultural production; ecological services)
  
  
• Initiative should be farmer led or based on co-management agreements with government agencies that vest responsibility and decision making at the lowest level consistent with accountability and administrative efficiency.