Why is biodiversity important in organic gardening?
Answers from top 13 papers
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| Papers (13) | Insight |
|---|---|
| The ‘integrated table of landscape quality aspects’ developed during the work of the concerted action ‘The Landscape and Nature Production Capacity of Organic/Sustainable Agriculture’ could be useful for the assessment of organic farms under various aspects of biodiversity. | |
| Agricultural landscapes are both used to produce food and other agricultural products and as habitat for farmland biodiversity. Agricultural intensification, with increased use of agrochemical, mechanisation, crop breeding and conversion of land, is a threat to biodiversity. Organic farming is aimed at ecosystem management and reduction of agrochemical use. Organic farming results in around 30% higher biodiversity compared to conventional farming. The effects of organic farming vary between organism groups owing to their ecological traits. The effect of organic farming on biodiversity can be modified by landscape heterogeneity, land use intensity and time since conversion to organic farming. There are remaining gaps in the knowledge about how to combine agricultural production and biodiversity conservation. | |
274 Citations | It was concluded that landscape features were much more important than organic farming management for enhancement of local biodiversity and should thus be considered in agri-environment schemes. |
| These findings suggest that environmental context plays an important role in determining whether and how soil biota generate the biodiversity–productivity relationship. | |
| As the benefits of organic farming to biodiversity clearly spread beyond individual farm boundaries, any assessment of organic farming should consider these positive externalities. | |
83 Citations | Thus, we show that not only the proportion of semi-natural habitat is important for farmland biodiversity, but that also the management of cropland can influence the diversity in semi-natural habitats. |
36 Citations | Results indicate that organic farming and environmentally orientated behaviours benefit biodiversity and that there is an important link between farmer environmental attitudes and knowledge and the beneficial effects of organic farming on biodiversity. |
52 Citations | In contrast to earthworm and microbial diversity, aboveground biodiversity benefits most from organic farming in simple landscapes. |
36 Citations | We conclude that although organic management did not automatically increase the diversity of all studied taxa, it is a reasonable and useful way to support agro-biodiversity. |
| In less productive agricultural landscapes, biodiversity benefit can be gained by concentrating organic farms into hotspots without a commensurate reduction in yield. | |
| Summary The benefits of organic farming to biodiversity in agricultural landscapes continue to be hotly debated, emphasizing the importance of precisely quantifying the effect of organic vs. conventional farming. | |
103 Citations | Enhancement of biodiversity through organic farming should not be assumed to be ubiquitous, as potential benefits may be offset by the crop type, organic-management practices and the specific habitat requirements in the surrounding landscape. |
| The yield reduction under organic farming, resulting in more land needed to produce the same amount, could offset some of the biodiversity benefits of organic farming. |
Related Questions
Does organic farming have biodiversity benefits over traditional farming?4 answersOrganic farming has been found to have biodiversity benefits over traditional farming. A meta-analysis comparing conventional and organic farming showed that organic farming supports higher biodiversity, with a 23% gain in biodiversity compared to conventional farming. This gain in biodiversity is negatively correlated with yield loss for microbes and plants. Additionally, switching to organic farming can lead to a biodiversity gain without yield loss for some taxa in non-cereal crops. Organic farming also has a positive impact on the behavior of passerine birds, increasing their vitality and reducing pesticide exposure. At larger scales, organic farming promotes a diversity of flowering plant species, especially in simple landscapes, and drives changes in species composition between organic and conventional farming systems. In traditional cherry orchards, organic farming supports a higher number of beetle families and greater plant species richness, indicating its potential for conservation purposes. Furthermore, organic farming has been found to conserve natural enemies' biodiversity and regulate herbivores, leading to enhanced ecosystem services.
What are the benefits of organic food?5 answersOrganic food has several benefits. It is not significantly different from conventional food in terms of nutrient composition, but certain organic fruits and milk may have higher levels of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids respectively. Organic farming methods help reduce pollution, soil erosion, and conserve water, leading to environmental wellness. Consumption of organic food has been found to positively impact the mental well-being of individuals, along with physical health, food security, and financial security. Organic food is pesticide-free and beneficial for overall health, with organic farming preserving soil integrity and providing high-quality agricultural products. Organic agriculture emphasizes ecosystem management, diversity of products, and natural pest and disease control, contributing to healthy and sustainable food production.
What does organic farming emphasize on?4 answersOrganic farming emphasizes on sustainable agricultural practices that are in harmony with the natural system, with a focus on managing healthy soil and promoting soil health. It aims to uphold and enhance the innate equilibrium of the environment by using organic fertilizers derived from natural sources, rather than chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides. Organic farming practices enhance soil organic matter, improve soil chemical and physical properties, reduce disease potential, and ultimately promote plant, animal, and human health. It prioritizes the nourishment of soil over the feeding of individual plants, thereby decreasing the cost of agricultural production while simultaneously enhancing soil health. Organic farming also focuses on sustainable resource utilization, augmented crop yields, and the safeguarding of the environment and biodiversity features. Overall, organic farming emphasizes the importance of soil sustainability, crop production, and the protection of the environment and human health.
What are the benefits of organic farming?5 answersOrganic farming offers several benefits. It helps to uphold and enhance the equilibrium of the environment by relying on natural sources of fertilizers and avoiding harmful chemicals. It promotes sustainable resource utilization, increased crop yields, and the safeguarding of the environment and biodiversity in developing countries. Organic farming practices improve soil health, enhance soil organic matter and microbial activity, and reduce disease potential, leading to healthier plants, animals, and humans. It also contributes to soil sustainability and crop production, optimizing biological productivity and promoting a healthy state of health. Organic farming enhances fungal and oomycete diversity, which supports healthy and sustainable agricultural practices. The advantages of organic farming over traditional farming include environmental benefits such as preserving soil fertility and reducing soil degradation, consumer benefits such as improved quality characteristics of food products, economic benefits such as increased efficiency of production and employment, and social benefits such as reducing the risk of diseases.
How does organic mulching helps in plants?5 answersOrganic mulching helps plants in several ways. It promotes growth and productivity of crop plants, reduces weed growth, maintains optimal soil temperature, retains soil moisture, and mitigates the adverse effects of biotic and abiotic stresses. Mulching also improves soil physicochemical and biological properties, controls evaporation rate, aids in managing soil and air microclimate, and encourages soil and crop productivity. Additionally, organic mulching increases enzymatic activity, particularly within the rhizosphere, thus accelerating soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. It also improves soil structure and texture, increases infiltration and water retention, provides refuge for insects and earthworms, promotes root penetration and growth, and minimizes erosion. Furthermore, organic mulching alters the soil environment, promotes plant growth, and enhances soil organic matter storage, thereby maintaining urban forest productivity.
What is the importance of biodiversity?5 answersBiodiversity is of great importance for various reasons. It plays a key role in human welfare by providing agricultural, economic, and health benefits. Biodiversity also contributes to climate regulation and strengthens ecosystem resilience, allowing ecosystems to provide important services in the face of increasing climate pressures. Additionally, biodiversity is crucial for sustaining ecosystem functioning in a changing environment. It has been found that greater biodiversity is required to sustain multifunctionality across different temperatures, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem processes. Moreover, maintaining diversity within agricultural systems is essential for food security and resilience to climate-induced events. Overall, biodiversity is vital for human well-being, ecosystem functioning, and the sustainability of agricultural systems.