Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
integrating various functions demanded by society - the multifunctional landscape. In this
sense, landscapes can be classified according to their intrinsic beauty, historical features,
embodiment of cultural values, past and present impacts of land use, farm practices, composi-
tion of farming systems, distribution of habitats and human-made features like stone walls or
historic buildings (OECD 1997). Landscape goals and the relevant land use and management
practices need to be addressed at the farm as well as at the landscape level. Van Mansvelt and
van der Lubbe (1999) as well as van Elsen (2001) suggested that a minimum of 3% to 5% of
each farm should be designated to on-farm nature conservation, although the spatial separa-
tion of the conservation areas from the production zones should be minimised (van Elsen
2000). Tybirk
et
al
. (2004) state that minimum standards on the extent of uncultivated areas
should rather be implemented at the landscape level, where due consideration of landform and
habitat structure could be taken.
In a comparative analysis of organic and conventional farms in two Danish counties, Tress
(1999) found generally fewer fallow fields and a larger area of permanent and extensive grass-
land on organic farms. More fields of smaller size and a significantly larger share of inner and
outer hedgerows on organic farms are creating a more diverse mosaic within the farm (Clausen
and Larsen 1997, Tress 1999). Alföldi
et
al
. (2002) found that the diversity of landscapes and
production systems was greater in organic farms than on conventional farms, regarding land
use types, crops, livestock, plantings (hedges, solitary shrubs, trees), f lora and sensorial
information.
Farms exert a joint but uncoordinated impact on landscape (Baudry
et
al
. 2003, Thenail
and Baudry 2004). The development of high-input systems has reduced the area of extensively
cultivated fields, grassland, uncultivated areas and small biotopes. Therefore, the landscape
level management of habitats becomes crucial for the purpose of leaving room for natural
processes (Reenberg and Baudry 1999). Development of organic farming in this respect is a
potential instrument for such management (Tybirk
et
al
. 2004).
Organic farming generally provides a good potential for landscape diversity, including
criteria related to perception and sensory qualities (Van Mansvelt and van der Lubbe 1999;
Stolze
et
al
. 2000; Stobbelaar and van Mansvelt 2000). Van Elsen (1997) states that the basic
principles of organic farming provide a perspective for further development of high-quality
landscapes which include the possibility of a cautious utilisation of sensitive areas (Noquet
et
al
. 1996), as well as a requalifying of the identity of rural sites (Pennanzi 1996). How precisely
organic farms (can) contribute to landscape quality is a main area for further research.
Soil
Soil care is a main principle in organic farming. It is, therefore, not surprising that the impacts
of organic farming on soil properties have been researched comprehensively. Special focus in
this research is on organic matter content, biological activity, nutrient cycles and soil erosion.
Even though soil performance is very site specific, results of studies in different countries (e.g.
Europe) show that organic farming tends to conserve soil fertility and system stability better
than conventional farming systems (Stolze
et
al
. 2000, Shepherd
et
al
. 2003).
As organic farmers cannot use synthetic substances (e.g. fertilisers, pesticides, pharmaceu-
ticals), they pay particular attention to operating a sound rotational system to 'nourish the
soil' in order to maintain organic matter content and to keep it in good condition. Organic
management focuses on nutrient cycling with the aim of maximising agroecosystem stability
and homeostasis. To restore the natural ecological balance is seen as essential by organic
farmers because ecosystem functions are considered to be the main productive 'input' (Alföldi
et
al
. 2002, Shepherd
et
al
. 2003).
