Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 12.2 Overview of the absolute and relative environmental impacts of organic farming
compared with conventional farming (author's compilation based on the empirical material
presented in this chapter)
'Absolute' refers to the impact of organic farming on the environment and 'relative' refers to the relative impact in
comparison with conventional systems.
Area
Aspect
Enironmental impact A
Absolute
Relatie
Biodiversity
Genetic diversity
+
+
Floral diversity
+
++
Faunal diversity
+
+++
Habitat diversity
+?
+
Landscape
Landscape structures and aesthetic value
+?
+
Soil
Soil organic matter and acidity
?
++
Biological activity
+?
+++
Soil structure
?
+
Erosion
-
++/-
Desertification
+
+
Nutrient use and balance - ++
Nitrate leaching - ++/-
Phosphorus 0 +?
Pesticides - +++
Pathogens - -?
Climate and air Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) +? +?
Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) - +/-?
Methane (CH 4 ) - ?
Ammonia (NH 3 ) - +/-?
Energy Intensity of energy use na ++/-
Efficiency of energy use na +?
A + = Slightly better; ++ = better; ++ = substantially better; ++/- = better with some aspects that are negative; +? =
better with some uncertainties; +/-? = partly better and partly worse with some uncertainties; ? = unclear; - =
negative impact; 0 = no impact or change; na = not applicable.
Ground and surface
water
pressures lead to a rationalisation of organic production that, in many respects, starts to
resemble the rationalisation path of conventional agriculture (Knickel 2001). Field parcel sizes
are being continuously increased, agricultural workers are being replaced by larger machinery,
and livestock husbandry systems are becoming more rationalised and often more intensive.
Clearly, organic farming has the potential to develop sustainable land use systems, but the
motivation of farmers and financial support are the main factors required to achieve this goal
(Van Mansveldt et al . 1998). Organic management could also be a key to bringing degraded
land back into production and therefore significantly contribute to the solutions of the world
food problem (Alföldi et al . 2002).
Organic farming in protected areas
Protected areas are dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity (as
defined by the World Commission on Protected Areas). Since organic farming can support
biodiversity, it offers an important agricultural management option (Stolton and Dudley
2000b). In Italy (e.g. in Tuscany) or Germany (e.g. in biosphere reserves such as Schorf heide-
 
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