Sean Maxwell and colleagues argue that agriculture is one of the greatest enemies of biodiversity — yet agriculture itself depends on biodiversity (Nature 536, 143–145; 2016). To make sense of this, we need to recognize that perspectives on biodiversity can depend on context.

The authors are really referring to a limited range of species that are mainly of interest to conservationists, which could be called 'conservation biodiversity'. The biodiversity that supports global primary food production and a host of other industries, from pharmaceutical bioprospecting and engineering biomimetics to biological pest control (see, for example, go.nature.com/2croaxv), might then be classed as 'production biodiversity'.

Production biodiversity is enormous and irreplaceable. It constitutes at least 90% of all species — predominantly invertebrates (such as pollinators) and microbes. It harbours most of the planet's chemical, genetic and metabolic diversity.

Global assessment of conservation biodiversity is crucial. But it must acknowledge the greater part of biodiversity on which humanity depends, or the very word 'biodiversity' risks losing its scientific, economic and social meaning.