Agriculture and biodiversity, growing with nature

Summary

Agriculture's impact on biodiversity is significant, with farming occupying 40% of the planet's land surface, yet shrinking due to urbanization. The simplification of landscapes and reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have led to species loss. In response, farmers are adopting diverse practices like organic farming, agroforestry, and extensive farming to protect biodiversity. These methods, along with the reintroduction of traditional crop varieties and local consumption, are crucial for sustainable agriculture and aligning with climate and biodiversity goals.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Agriculture is intrinsically linked to biodiversity, with farmers shaping landscapes to grow living organisms for food.
• 🏙️ Farmland is decreasing globally, especially due to urbanization, which consumes an average of 600 hectares annually in the Paris region.
• 🛠️ The transformation and mechanization of agriculture since the Neolithic period have led to significant landscape changes.
• 🌿 The simplification of landscapes and the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have caused a decline in species diversity.
• 🐦 In the Paris region, there has been a nearly 50% drop in farmland bird species between 2004 and 2017.
• 🌱 A small number of plant species dominate global food production, with only thirty supplying 90% of the world's food.
• 🌱 Specialization in farming, with shorter crop rotations and fewer crop species, has reduced genetic diversity significantly.
• 🌳 Reclaiming wildlife habitats and creating green corridors by replanting hedges is essential for supporting biodiversity.
• 💧 Water bodies are vital for many species and contribute to the development of a blue grid, which is important for biodiversity.
• 🌱 Organic farming and agroforestry are solutions that rely on biodiversity and offer ecosystem services to crops.
• 🌿 Extensive farming practices, such as simplified cultivation techniques and avoiding monoculture, can protect biodiverse environments and enrich soil.

Q & A

What is the current percentage of land surface on Earth used for farming?

Farming occupies 40 percent of the land surface of the planet.

How does urbanization impact farmland in the Paris region?

Urban growth in the Paris region consumes an average of 600 hectares of farmland every year.

What changes have occurred in agriculture since the Neolithic period?

Agriculture has been radically transformed and mechanized, leading to changes in landscapes due to land consolidation.

What is the impact of landscape simplification and use of man-made fertilizers and pesticides on species?

The simplification of the landscape and the growing use of man-made fertilizers and pesticides lead to the disappearance of species that inhabit it.

How has the number of birds adapted to farmland in the Paris region changed between 2004 and 2017?

The number of birds specially adapted to living on farmland fell by almost half between 2004 and 2017 in the Paris region.

What is the significance of genetic diversity in farming as mentioned in the script?

Genetic diversity has dropped significantly, with traditional varieties being replaced by selected varieties offering higher yields.

Why is it important to reclaim wildlife habitats in and around farmland?

Reclaiming wildlife habitats is essential to support biodiversity and to interconnect these areas, for example, by replanting hedges to act as green corridors.

What is the role of meadows in carbon storage and flood control?

Meadows play a fundamental role in storing carbon and help control flooding by acting as flood expansion areas.

How does organic farming contribute to biodiversity?

Organic farming is a step forward as it rejects the use of man-made phytosanitary products and fertilizers, supporting biodiversity.

What is agroforestry and how does it benefit the ecosystem?

Agroforestry is a way to combine farming and forestry, with trees offering a range of ecosystem services to crops, especially when diversified.

How can simplified cultivation techniques benefit the environment?

Simplified cultivation techniques, such as reducing or stopping plowing, direct sowing, extended crop rotations, and sowing green fertilizers, can protect the soil and nourish it without bare ground.

What is the importance of diversifying the species grown in agriculture?

Diversifying the species grown is vital to maintain a diverse gene pool, ensure greater stability with regard to climate change, and move away from monoculture.