Biodiversity benefits

This review aimed to pull together studies which assessed the relative benefits to biodiversity of organic farming compared with intensive, conventional systems. Of the 33 studies reviewed, many showed clearly that there were biodiversity benefits associated with organic systems. Some, however, showed little or no difference and others showed that conventional systems were beneficial for some species (Table 1). 

Azeez, G. (2000), The Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming, Soil Association, United Kingdom. 

Hole, D G, Perkins, A J, Wilson, J D, Alexander, I H, Grice, P V and Evans, A D (2005) Does organic farming benefit biodiversity Biological Conservation, 122, 113-130. 

Many grasses are known to act as reservoirs and sources of primary C. purpurea inoculum (Hoffmann and Schmutterer, 1983 Agrios, 1997). Since beetle banks and non-crop field margins are commonly used in organic farming to increase biodiversity, it is possible that these areas may also become sources of Claviceps inoculum. The goal for farmers must be to achieve a balance between the benefits of on-farm biodiversity (e.g. improved habitat for pest predators) and the risk of increased infection by fungi such as Claviceps. 

K.T. Kate and S.A. Laird (Eds.), The Commercial Use of Biodiversity Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing, Earthscan, Kew, UK. 

Hole DG, Perkins AJ, Wilson JD, Alexander IH, Grice PV, Evans AD (2005) Does organic farming benefit biodiversity Biol Conserv 122 113-130... 

Explain the Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreement for biodiversity prospecting and discuss the pros and cons of this agreement. 

Clean air is an important prerequisite for sustainable development and is a basic requirement for human health and welfare. In addition, air pollutants contribute to atmospheric problems such as acidification and global climate change, which have impacts on crop productivity, forest growth, biodiversity, buildings, and cultural monuments. The benefits from the progress made in the areas of waste gas treatment and environmental legislation are partially offset by industrialization, an increase in the number of private cars in use, and overpopulation. 

The Suriname project has increased the knowledge of the flora of the region (as noted above), helped prevent the loss of traditional knowledge of plant-derived medicines, provided educational opportunities for Surinamese scientists and students that emphasize the benefits of intact forest ecosystems, and promoted sustainable economic development in Suriname s interior. A growing interest and support within the national government is also apparent, as can be seen by the recent rejection of large-scale timber concessions. The following specific achievements have been made in the area of biodiversity conservation. 

These benefits should act as powerful incentives to conserve what remains of natural ecosystems unfortunately, however, loss and degradation of natural habitats continue largely unabated. The most devastating impact on biodiversity result from global agricultural activities cause (Schaal 2006). In fact, farming is already the greatest... 

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