Agriculture and biodiversity: a better balance benefits both

J. W. Erisman, Nick J.M. van Eekeren, Jan de Wit, Chris J. Koopmans, Willemijn J.M. Cuijpers, Natasja Oerlemans, Ben J. Koks. 2016. Agriculture and biodiversity: a better balance benefits both. AIMS Agriculture and Food. 2. 1

Meer publicaties over Conceptueel Kader Biodiversiteit

"

  • "
  • Biodiversiteit als basis voor het agrarische bedrijf. Erisman et al., 2016, download
  • "
  • Samenvatting conceptueel kader Biodiversiteit in de melkveehouderij: Investeren in veerkracht en reduceren van risico's. Erisman et al., 2014, download
  • "
  • Biodiversiteit in de melkveehouderij: Investeren in veerkracht en reduceren van risico's. Erisman et al., 2014, download
  • "
  • Terug naar de bodem: Interview met Jan Willem Erisman in de Volkskrant: Groene landbouw: Biodiversiteit als beste basis voor het boerenbedrijf. Janssen en Erisman, 2016, download
  • "
Download (pdf, 1.02 MB)
Taal/language: Engels
Abstract / summary in English:

Sustainable agriculture is an important component of many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by the UN in 2015 (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs). However, the trend in agriculture is moving in the opposite, non-sustainable direction. Agriculture is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss. Next to biodiversity loss due to habitat destruction by conversion of natural lands into agriculture, intensification of agriculture has led to a strong decline of specific farmland biodiversity. Furthermore, many agricultural landscapes face pollution by pesticides and fertilizers, and encounter depleted soils and erosion due to unsustainable farming practices. This is threatening not only biodiversity but also complete ecosystems and the ecosystem services on which agriculture itself depends. Moreover, the pressure of feeding an increasing number of people in combination with a change in diets towards more animal protein puts a lot of additional pressure on the current available agricultural lands and nature areas.
"We propose a holistic approach that contributes to the development and implementation of sustainable agricultural practices that both make use and support biodiversity and ecosystem services both in agricultural and in semi-natural areas. An agricultural system based on the full potential of (functional agro) biodiversity provides opportunities to create a resilient system in which both food production and nature can thrive.

Keywords in English: agriculture; biodiversity; sustainability; ecosystem services; conceptual framework