Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
fauna species) than the natural areas adjacent to the integrated areas or areas under the
extensive farming [44]. In 41 of 45 studies, the number of earthworms, ground beetles, spiders
(especially the Wolf spiders) and birds in the cultural landscape was significantly higher in
organically cultivated areas than in the conventional ones. In four cases, there was no difference
experienced [43].
The high degree of biodiversity reduces the population of rare species in the inner zones, increases the
population of species in the border zones and of animals that require more landscape elements. From
this, we can deduce that the right long-term agroecosystem function is directly proportional to the degree
of biodiversity and the appropriate degree of stability of the area as a whole.
There are many factors driving agrobiodiversity such as crop range widening (broad crop
rotation, specific or varietal mixtures, catch crops, cover crops, intercropping…), supply of
organic matter into soil (manure, green manure, perennial crops), optimal fertilization, plant
nutrition and protection, soil conservation technologies (direct drilling, mineralization of soil
cultivation…) as well as the landscape feature creation (cops, alleys, strip planting, land
division…). Areas within organic farming are more diverse (heterogeneous). Organic farmers
farm on smaller fields with a greater proportion of green areas and a greater number of plant
species. There are also more hedgerows in the organic farm.
In the organically cultivated farms, there are more than 85% greater number of plant species,
a third more bats and there live about 17% more spiders and 5% more bird species [20, 23]. On
the organic field, there are for example nine times more species of plants and accompanying
weeds growing, there live 15% more ground beetles and 25% more earthworms than in the
fields within integrated farming [35]. Greater variety of plants, hedges, grassy field margins,
smaller areas of land, smaller corn ear density, area gardening, stubble and green soil cover in
winter create favourable conditions for e.g. skylark. Already after one year of transitional
period, the number of skylark nests has doubled. Nesting swallows and birds of prey also give
priority to food from organic areas. In autumn and in winter, there were significantly more
seeds and insects for songbirds and also more food for birds of prey found on organically
cultivated fields [24].
2. Effect of farming system on greenhouse gas emissions
Among the positive externalities of organic farming belongs its environmental friendliness.
This is also evident in the ability to produce less greenhouse gas emissions as compared to
conventional intensive farming systems. In order to compare different farming systems more
accurately, it is necessary to make a comprehensive analysis of materially energy flows within
them and to quantify their impact on the environment. There can be used for example the LCA
analysis (Life Cycle Assessment).
LCA analysis is a tool that enable to assess environmental impacts via the product life cycle.
Within its framework, we can include also social and economic aspects but the main focus is
on the environmental component. It is also an invaluable tool in the assessment of greenhouse
gas emissions related to product formation [18].
