Organic farming increases biodiversity, research indicates

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Organic farming increases biodiversity, research indicates

 

According to the largest review yet done of studies comparing organic

to conventional agriculture, organic farming increases biodiversity

at every level, from bacteria to birds to mammals. The two groups

that conducted the reviews -- English Nature, a government group, and

the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds -- had no vested

interest in organic farming. They concluded that organic farming

fosters biodiversity by using fewer inorganic fertilizers and

pesticides and by adopting critter-friendly practices like mixing

arable and livestock farming. Of particular note to the Royal

birders was the flourishing on organic farms of lapwings, a bird

species that has declined by 80 percent in the U.K. The researchers,

whose results were published in the journal Biological Conservation,

did not rule out that farmers inclined to go organic were simply more

green to begin with, but either way, we like what we're hearing.

 

straight to the source: New Scientist, James Randerson, 11 Oct 2004

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