Author
Catherine Palmer
Bio: Catherine Palmer is an academic researcher from University College Cork. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biodiversity & Vulnerability. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 990 citations.
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Wageningen University and Research Centre1, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences2, University of Jena3, University College Cork4, Autonomous University of Madrid5, Polish Academy of Sciences6, University of Tartu7, University of Göttingen8, Centre national de la recherche scientifique9, University of Rennes10
TL;DR: Of the 13 components of intensification the authors measured, use of insecticides and fungicides had consistent negative effects on biodiversity, and organic farming and other agri-environment schemes aiming to mitigate the negative effects are found.
1,146 citations
TL;DR: The loss of species will directly change the structure of ecological communities, which in turn may cause additional species loss (secondary extinctions) due to indirect effects (e.g. loss of resources ...
Abstract: Loss of species will directly change the structure of ecological communities, which in turn may cause additional species loss (secondary extinctions) due to indirect effects (e.g. loss of resources ...
27 citations
TL;DR: The results confirmed that persistent negative effects of pesticides on biodiversity and biological control potential on European farmland are stillpersistent and pose a threat to species survival.
25 citations
TL;DR: The reliability of R50 as a measure of vulnerability of food webs to sequential species deletions is studied to assess the strength of the relationships between species deletion rates and webs vulnerability.
Abstract: The reliability of R50 as a measure of vulnerability of food webs to sequential species deletions
10 citations
Cited by
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TL;DR: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols used xiii 1.
Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201
14,171 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the true value of functional biodiversity on the farm is often inadequately acknowledged or understood, while conventional intensification tends to disrupt beneficial functions of biodiversity.
1,463 citations
01 Jan 2012
1,255 citations
TL;DR: Although organic agriculture has an untapped role to play when it comes to the establishment of sustainable farming systems, no single approach will safely feed the planet and a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed.
Abstract: Organic agriculture has a history of being contentious and is considered by some as an inefficient approach to food production. Yet organic foods and beverages are a rapidly growing market segment in the global food industry. Here, we examine the performance of organic farming in light of four key sustainability metrics: productivity, environmental impact, economic viability and social wellbeing. Organic farming systems produce lower yields compared with conventional agriculture. However, they are more profitable and environmentally friendly, and deliver equally or more nutritious foods that contain less (or no) pesticide residues, compared with conventional farming. Moreover, initial evidence indicates that organic agricultural systems deliver greater ecosystem services and social benefits. Although organic agriculture has an untapped role to play when it comes to the establishment of sustainable farming systems, no single approach will safely feed the planet. Rather, a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed. Significant barriers exist to adopting these systems, however, and a diversity of policy instruments will be required to facilitate their development and implementation.
959 citations
University of Reading1, Joint Nature Conservation Committee2, University of Southampton3, University of Sheffield4, University of Oxford5, Imperial College London6, University of Zurich7, Instituto Superior Técnico8, University of York9, University of California, Berkeley10, University College London11, Environmental Change Institute12, Autonomous University of Madrid13
TL;DR: A range of mechanisms underpinning the resilience of ecosystem functions across three ecological scales are identified and biodiversity, encompassing variation from within species to across landscapes, may be crucial for the longer-term resilience ofcosystem functions and the services that they underpin.
Abstract: Accelerating rates of environmental change and the continued loss of global biodiversity threaten functions and services delivered by ecosystems. Much ecosystem monitoring and management is focused on the provision of ecosystem functions and services under current environmental conditions, yet this could lead to inappropriate management guidance and undervaluation of the importance of biodiversity. The maintenance of ecosystem functions and services under substantial predicted future environmental change (i.e., their ‘resilience’) is crucial. Here we identify a range of mechanisms underpinning the resilience of ecosystem functions across three ecological scales. Although potentially less important in the short term, biodiversity, encompassing variation from within species to across landscapes, may be crucial for the longer-term resilience of ecosystem functions and the services that they underpin.
871 citations