Biodiversity Up On the Organic Farm

Surveys of organic farms, including a recently completed five-year study in Britain, are showing an increase in biodiversity. The absence of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers accounts for much of the greater level of species diversity, but other organic farming practices also benefit wildlife, such as planting hedgerows to attract beneficial insects and birds. Activities that incorporate the organic farm into the natural landscape often have benefit for both.

The link between agriculture and biodiversity is being recognized by various groups. The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity is preserving heritage crops and promoting markets for them. The Wild Farm Alliance envisions sustainable food systems where "…ecologically managed farms and ranches are seamlessly integrated into landscapes that accommodate the full range of native species and ecological processes." And Salmon Safe has developed criteria for an eco-label that goes beyond organic certification to include practices that promote wildlife preservation.

Links:

• Organic Farms 'Best for Wildlife' from the BBC News


• Farming with the Wild from Tidepool

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 3:34 PM on September 14, 2005

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