One third of the food we eat depends on pollination by bees, bumblebees and other insects. Organic farming does not allow the use of synthetic chemical pesticides. Studies show that organic farms, on average, host more species of plants and pollinators than conventional farms.
Biodiversity means having many different plant and animal species, but it involves much more than that. It also includes genetic variation within species and a diversity of habitats within an area. Biodiversity makes ecosystems more resilient. When ecosystems are in balance, they provide a wide range of services that people depend on.
Some ecosystem services we rely on
- Green plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
- Earthworms and many other organisms help cycle nutrients, creating fertile and living soils.
- Insects pollinate plants that provide us with fruit, berries and vegetables.
These are examples of essential ecosystem services that are fundamental to food production and human life.
Sources:
Seven ecosystem services plants provide
Soil biodiversity (FAO Soils Portal)
Pollination services (FAO)
Assessment report on pollinators, pollination and food production
Some of the threats to biodiversity
- Land conversion and development that destroy habitats for plants and animals.
- Large-scale intensive farming with larger fields and fewer crop varieties.
- Synthetic fertilisers, which reduce the need for grazing animals on all farms.
- Synthetic chemical pesticides and environmental pollutants.
- Climate change.
Sources:
IPBES – Drivers of biodiversity change
FAO – Biodiversity in agriculture
IPBES – Global Assessment (2019)IPBES – Summary for Policymakers
IPBES – Summary for Policymakers
How KRAV-Certified Farmers Work to Support Biodiversity
Caring for the fundamental functions of nature is at the heart of organic production. One of the aims of the KRAV Standards is therefore to ensure that farming and food production are managed in ways that protect and develop biological and genetic diversity throughout the food chain. This is one of the reasons why synthetic chemical pesticides are not permitted in KRAV-certified farming. Chemical pesticides can affect not only weeds and pests but also beneficial insects and soil microorganisms that are important to ecosystems. KRAV-certified farmers are also not allowed to use genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as the long-term effects of their release into the environment remain uncertain.
- Organic and KRAV-certified farms do not use synthetic chemical pesticides. Studies have shown that organic farming systems often support greater species richness among plants and pollinating insects than conventional farming systems. This can help create favorable conditions for pollination and support species that depend on insects for their survival.
- Instead of synthetic fertilizers, KRAV-certified farmers use animal manure and other organic fertilizers. Research shows that adding organic matter to the soil is often associated with higher biological activity, including earthworms and microorganisms that break down organic material.
- KRAV-certified farms are required to use varied crop rotations. This can support a greater variety of plants that provide pollen and seeds for insects and birds.
- KRAV-certified cows graze extensively on grass and clover. Grazing can help maintain open landscapes and semi-natural pastures where a wider range of plant and animal species can thrive.
More Pollinators on Organic Farms
Organic farms host, on average, 30 percent more species of plants, birds and pollinators than conventional farms. When looking specifically at plants and pollinators, the difference is around 50 percent.
Benefits of Rich Biodiversity
- Spiders and predatory insects act as natural enemies of crop pests. By feeding on caterpillars and other harmful insects, they can help protect crops.
- More pollinators, such as bees and bumblebees, can contribute to higher yields because pollination improves fruit set and productivity in many crops.
- Studies show that both the abundance and biomass of earthworms are significantly higher in organic farming than in conventional farming. Earthworms play an important role in soil biology and are often used as indicators of healthy soils.
- A greater diversity of plants and animals can make ecosystems more robust and better able to withstand drought and disease.
- Higher species diversity within ecosystems may help reduce the spread of diseases from animals to humans. Research suggests that greater biodiversity can reduce the proportion of ticks carrying Lyme disease, because they are more likely to feed on animals that are less effective at transmitting the infection.