Agriculture - Organic farming

Title

Mixed effects of organic farming and landscape complexity on farmland biodiversity and biological control potential across Europe

Reference

Journal of Applied Ecology
Volume 48, Issue 3, pages 570-579, June 2011

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Organic farming in Europe has been shown to enhance biodiversity locally, but potential interactions with the surrounding landscape and the potential effects on ecosystem services are less well known.
In cereal fields on 153 farms in five European regions, we examined how the species richness and abundance of wild plants, ground beetles and breeding birds, and the biological control potential of the area, were affected by organic and conventional farming, and how these effects were modified by landscape complexity (percentage of arable crops within 1000 m of the study plots). Information on biodiversity was gathered from vegetation plots, pitfall traps and by bird territory mapping. The biological control potential was measured as the percentage of glued, live aphids removed from plastic labels exposed in cereal fields for 24 h.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

agricultural intensification, agri-environment schemes, biological control, ecosystem services, landscape homogenization, species richness

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01950.x/abstract
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camilla.winqvist@slu.se

Title

Diversity and Activity of Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Reference

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2010; 77 (3): 911
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01250-10

Author(s)

C. H. Orr, A. James, C. Leifert, J. M. Cooper, S. P. Cummings.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Agricultural soils are heterogeneous environments in which conditions affecting microbial growth and diversity fluctuate widely in space and time. In this study, the molecular ecology of the total bacterial and free-living nitrogen-fixing communities in soils from the Nafferton Factorial Systems Comparison (NFSC) study in northeast England were examined. The field experiment was factorial in design, with organic versus conventional crop rotation, crop protection, and fertility management factors. Soils were sampled on three dates (March, June, and September) in 2007. Total RNA was extracted from all soil samples and reverse transcribed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to analyze nifH and 16S rRNA genes in order to study free-living diazotrophs and the total bacterial community, respectively. Crop rotation was shown to have a significant effect on total bacterial diversity (and that of free-living N fixers) (P 0.001). On all three dates, nifH activity was higher in the conventional crop rotation. In contrast, qPCR analysis of free-living N fixers indicated significantly higher levels of activity in conventionally fertilized plots in June (P = 0.0324) and in plots with organic crop protection in September (P = 0.0143). To our knowledge, the effects of organic and conventional farming systems on free-living diazotrophs have never been studied. An increased understanding of the impacts of management practices on free-living N fixers could allow modifications in soil management practices to optimize the activity of these organisms.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture>> Agricultural management>>Soil management
Agriculture>>Agricultural management>>Organic farming
Soil>>Soil biodiversity

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/77/3/911 
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stephen.cummings@unn.ac.uk

Title

Reference

Author(s)

Christina Tobler, Vivianne H. M. Visschers, Michael Siegrist

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The assessment of a food product's environmental friendliness is highly challenging for consumers because such an assessment requires the consideration of various product characteristics. Furthermore, products often show conflicting features. This study uses a choice task and a questionnaire to examine how consumers judge the environmental friendliness of several vegetables. The consumers' assessment is compared with life cycle assessment (LCA) results, which represent the overall environmental impact of a product throughout its lifespan. In contrast to the LCA, consumers consider transportation distance rather than transportation mode and perceive organic production as very relevant for the environmental friendliness. Furthermore, consumers assess the environmental impact of packaging and conservation as more important than the LCA results show. Findings also suggest the current product information for vegetables is insufficient for judging their environmental friendliness. Implications for information campaigns and ecological food labeling are discussed.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Ecolabelling
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Ecolabelling

Keywords

food choice, ecological labeling, environmental assessment, sustainable consumption,consumers' beliefs, life cycle assessment

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://eab.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/01/07/0013916510372865.abstract
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chtobler@ethz.ch

Title

Minimising the harm to biodiversity of producing more food globally
The challenge of global food sustainability

Reference

Food Policy
Volume 36, Supplement 1, January 2011, Pages S62-S71

Author(s)

Ben Phalan, Andrew Balmford, Rhys E. Green and Jörn P.W.Scharlemann

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Should farming and conservation policies aim broadly to separate land for nature and land for production (land sparing) or integrate production and conservation on the same land (wildlife-friendly farming)? Most studies that try to address this question suffer from flaws in sampling design, inappropriate metrics, and/or failure to measure biodiversity baselines. We discuss how these failings can be addressed, and what existing information tells us about the key debates on this topic. The evidence available suggests that trade-offs between biodiversity and yield are prevalent. While there are some wildlife-friendly farming systems that support high species richness, a large proportion of wild species cannot survive in even the most benign farming systems. To conserve those species, protection of wild lands will remain essential. Sustainable intensification could help to facilitate sparing of such lands, provided that as much attention is given to protecting habitats as to raising yields. We discuss the general circumstances under which yield increases can facilitate land sparing, recognising that policies and social safeguards will need to be context-specific. In some situations, bringing degraded lands into production could help reduce pressure on wild lands, but much more information is needed on the biodiversity implications of using degraded lands. We conclude that restricting human requirements for land globally will be important in limiting the impacts on biodiversity of increasing food production. To achieve this, society will need to integrate explicit conservation objectives into local, regional and international policies affecting the food system.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming

Keywords

Biodiversity conservation, Agriculture, Land sparing, Wildlife-friendly farming,
Organic farming, Land-use policy

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919210001223
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btp22@cam.ac.uk

Title

Disentangling the effects of fertilisers and pesticides on winter stubble use by farmland birds

Reference

Basic and Applied Ecology, Volume 12, Issue 1,
February 2011, Pages 80-88

Author(s)

Ailsa J. McKenzie, Juliet A. Vickery, Carlo Leifert, Peter Shotton and Mark J. Whittingham

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Cereal stubbles are a preferred foraging habitat for overwintering granivorous farmland bird species. Levels of this habitat have declined in recent decades across much of western Europe with increasing agricultural intensification. Organic farms typically hold more stubble fields than conventional farms and thus may provide important refuges for wintering birds. However, while organic stubble fields often contain higher food densities than conventional stubble fields, the more complex vegetation structure associated with organic farming may decrease use by birds. Bird use, vegetation characteristics and seed densities were measured on stubble plots managed under four strategies (Organic [organic fertiliser only and no chemical pesticides], Conventional [inorganic fertiliser and chemical pesticides], NOFERT [organic fertiliser only and chemical pesticides) and NOPEST [inorganic fertiliser and no chemical pesticides]). Skylarks foraged most frequently on stubbles which received no pesticide applications which also had the highest weed seed densities. Plots receiving either inorganic or organic fertiliser applications did not differ in terms of use by skylarks, weed seed density or diversity, or vegetation structure. Plot use by yellowhammers was not significantly related to pesticide or fertiliser applications. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Results suggest that the main benefit of organic stubble fields for birds is via reduced pesticide inputs. Use of inorganic fertilisers is also beneficial for birds via increased weed seed densities, but to a lesser extent.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts

Keywords

Fertilisers; Fertilizers; Herbicides; Organic; Birds; Foraging; Seed diversity; Farmland

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1439179110001349
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a.j.mckenzie@ncl.ac.uk

Title

Differences in N uptake and fruit quality between organically and conventionally grown greenhouse tomatoes

Reference

Agronomy and Sustainable Development 30 (2010) 797–806
DOI: 10.1051/agro/2010025

Author(s)

Valérie Gravel, Wim Blok, Ewelina Hallmann, Carmen Carmona-Torres, HongyanWang, Arjen Van De Peppel, Aníbal Franco C'ondor Golec, Martine Dorais, Uulke Van Meeteren, Ep Heuvelink, Ewa Rembialkowska, Ariena H.C.Van Bruggen

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Soil-bound intensive greenhouse production has been scrutinized for its sustainability due to contamination of ground water by over-fertilization resulting in leaching of nutrients. As environmental guidelines are becoming more restrictive worldwide, and especially in Europe, many greenhouse growers have converted to more sustainable production systems including rockwool culture with recycled water and organic cropping systems in soil. The increase in popularity of organic production systems has amplified the debate whether organically grown produce is healthier than conventional produce. So far, little is known about the variations in fruit quality associated with production systems for greenhouse grown tomatoes. Thus, two organic (organic fertilization with and without straw amendment) and three conventional tomato cropping systems (regular and increased nutrient solution in rockwool and regular fertilization in soil) were compared in order to evaluate differences in nutrient availability and effects on fruit quality over a three-year period. Three modern medium-sized round tomato cultivars and one old cultivar were compared. There were no significant interactions between cropping systems and cultivars, so that main effects of systems and cultivars could be evaluated. Fruit yields in the organic systems were similar to those obtained in the conventional soil-bound system, but 15% lower than in the regular rockwool system, even though nitrogen concentrations in soil were not limiting in any of the production systems.
Frequent organic amendments resulted in higher soil NO2-3 contents in the organic system without straw than in the other soil-bound systems, indicating that the organic systems were not yet stable in terms of nutrient availability after three years. A fruit quality index, based on the contents of compounds such as lycopene, β-carotene and vitamin C, was similar in all cropping systems. The old cultivar had a significantly higher quality index, but a lower yield than the other cultivars. According to this study, high quality tomatoes can be obtained through proper adjustment of the quantity and the source of nitrogen fertilizers in organic and conventional cropping systems and the use of selected cultivars with a high nutrient use efficiency for organic systems.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming

Keywords

greenhouse tomato, organic, conventional, nitrogen uptake, xylem sap, fruit quality

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.agronomyjournal.org/index.php?option=com_article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/agro/2010025&Itemid=129
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Contact the study author at:

gravelv@agr.gc.ca

Title

Landscape composition influences farm management effects on farmland birds in winter: A pan-European approach

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 139, Issue 4, 15 December 2010, Pages 571-577

Author(s)

Flavia Geiger et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This study examined the effects of agricultural intensity, various farming practices, landscape composition and vegetation cover on the abundance and species richness of wintering farmland birds, assessed simultaneously across seven European regions.
The abundance and species richness of wintering farmland birds were negatively affected by agricultural intensity. The effects of yield and farm type were interlinked. Of the 10 farming practices assessed, mechanical weeding and the amount of organic fertilizer applied negatively affected farmland birds, presumably due to reduced food availability on arable fields. Positive effects of organic farming on farmland birds proved to be limited to simplified landscapes. More farmland birds were observed in areas with more stubble, pasture and green manure crops. Species richness was higher in areas with more pasture.
The results of this study show that farm management, vegetation cover and landscape composition all influence wintering farmland birds. Heterogeneous landscapes comprising arable crops as well as grasslands support most species of farmland birds in winter. The effectiveness of organic farming and agri-environment schemes depends on landscape composition. Therefore, different agri-environment schemes should be designed for different landscape types.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Organic farming, Farming practice, Agricultural intensification, Arable, Agri-environment scheme

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880910002513
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Contact the study author at:

flavia.geiger@wur.nl