Functional Agro-Biodiversity: An Evaluation of Current Approaches and Outcomes

Functional Agro-Biodiversity: An Evaluation of Current Approaches and Outcomes

The European Union’s ‘Green Deal’ proposes an ambitious roadmap towards climate neutrality by 2050 and the adoption of a circular economy. Functional AgroBiodiversity (FAB) measures, which balance food production with minimised impacts on nature, are a promising way to achieve this on farmland. Here...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Land (Basel) Vol. 12; no. 11; p. 2078
Main Authors: Maskell, Lindsay C., Radbourne, Alan, Norton, Lisa R., Reinsch, Sabine, Alison, Jamie, Bowles, Liz, Geudens, Katrien, Robinson, David A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-11-2023
Subjects:
Agricultural land
Agricultural production
Agricultural research
Agriculture
Agrobiodiversity
Agroforestry
Biodiversity
Biological diversity
Carbon
Circular economy
Common Agricultural Policy
cover crops
crop rotations
Crops
Ecological research
Ecosystems
Energy consumption
Environmental aspects
Environmental economics
Farmers
Farms
Food production
Innovations
Land management
Natural resources
organic matter input
Plant reproduction
Productivity
reduced tillage
reduction in plant protection products
Soil erosion
United Kingdom
Europe
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Summary:The European Union’s ‘Green Deal’ proposes an ambitious roadmap towards climate neutrality by 2050 and the adoption of a circular economy. Functional AgroBiodiversity (FAB) measures, which balance food production with minimised impacts on nature, are a promising way to achieve this on farmland. Here, we undertake a rapid evidence assessment to highlight Functional Agro-Biodiversity (FAB) management measures which help to realise biodiversity, climate neutrality, efficiency in use of natural resources and the circular economy. We report evidence on the effectiveness of 10 common FAB measures employed in Europe following a resurgence of interest and increased availability of data on their impact. The review found that the outcomes of implementing FAB measures were largely positive, with a number of mixed effects. There are evidence gaps, e.g., the impact of FAB measures on yield, the magnitude and timescale of impacts, the effect of landscape context. We signpost the most relevant and well-documented FAB measures, providing a reference for land managers and practitioners to select FAB measures to achieve specific ecological and agricultural outcomes. It is also important to note that a combination of measures implemented in a strategic way can enhance the output success.
ISSN:2073-445X
2073-445X
DOI:10.3390/land12112078