The Direct Impact of Biodiversity on the Farming Business and How to Leverage It
With a rising population the demand for food is ever increasing and farmers are looking for farms for sale in Mission. Many efforts have been made in the agriculture industry to increase the produce and improve the state of various agricultural activities. Farmland habitat or commonly known as biodiversity refers to the wildlife diversity that exists around the farm. In the wake of increasing demand, farmers have neglected the importance of biodiversity and in this article we will try to understand how biodiversity is extremely important.
Biodiversity plays a major role in maintaining the system’s stability and makes the environment strong against climate changes. This leads to the question=- how biodiversity can be useful at farm scale productions.
The increased use of fertilizers and mowing on the farms drives way for biodiversity decline, which not only leads to environmental loss, but also to the loss of various habitats at the farm. Artificially adding nutrients to the farm has become a standard practice to manage good crop yield each season. It can affect the soils and have adverse effect on the species living as a part of biodiversity. Managing nutrient inputs can help slow down the loss of biodiversity and protect the natural habitat which is beneficial for the environment and farm.
How to manage biodiversity at the farm?
In the current scenario there are two major ways for managing biodiversity. Both of them have been discussed in the lines below:
Wildlife oriented farming practices: In this approach a more wildlife oriented farming environment is create for the crops and these particular environments are tailored to promote wildlife growth.
The practice of land sparing: In this approach the overall land is utilized in a way that a fixed portion of land is intensively cultivated while the reamineder is left in a semi natural state to allow the biodiversity to bloom.
Both of these methods can be mutually benefical and conducted simultaneously on the farm lands. Along with these methods farmers can utilize the landscapes and topography to boost biodiversity in their system which turns out to be a good way for sustained farming.
Will an increase in the wildlife populations have any benefits in the overall farm management process?
Farm management is greatly benefited from the flora and fauna in the system. A farming approach which supports wildlife is advantageous for the agricultural activities as it eases the process of pollination and protects the crops from pests and insects. This amplifies the overall production.
According to some field based studies it was observed that major crops such as wheat, oil seed and beans experienced a rise in the yield when about 8% of the land was set aside from the cultivation land. This directly indicates the positive effect of wildlife oriented approach on the farms.
This increase in the production naturally occurs due to transmission of natural services from the wildlife itself. Pest control through predators like spiders, easier pollination thanks to bee population and more. Naturally growing trees, hedges utilize the resources which otherwise would have been used by pests. Maintaining biodiversity will also serve as a great method to protect the constantly declining bee population which is integral in plant’s growth.
The effects of biodiversity might not be instant but, they have their influence on the ecosystem even in the long run. Having tailored farming approach will benefit and promote wildlife which adds to the stability of the ecosystem and helps protect against environmental changes.
If you are also looking forward to start a farm, find the right land at www.fraservalleyfarm.ca at the most competitive prices.
Biodiversity plays a major role in maintaining the system’s stability and makes the environment strong against climate changes. This leads to the question=- how biodiversity can be useful at farm scale productions.
The increased use of fertilizers and mowing on the farms drives way for biodiversity decline, which not only leads to environmental loss, but also to the loss of various habitats at the farm. Artificially adding nutrients to the farm has become a standard practice to manage good crop yield each season. It can affect the soils and have adverse effect on the species living as a part of biodiversity. Managing nutrient inputs can help slow down the loss of biodiversity and protect the natural habitat which is beneficial for the environment and farm.
How to manage biodiversity at the farm?
In the current scenario there are two major ways for managing biodiversity. Both of them have been discussed in the lines below:
Wildlife oriented farming practices: In this approach a more wildlife oriented farming environment is create for the crops and these particular environments are tailored to promote wildlife growth.
The practice of land sparing: In this approach the overall land is utilized in a way that a fixed portion of land is intensively cultivated while the reamineder is left in a semi natural state to allow the biodiversity to bloom.
Both of these methods can be mutually benefical and conducted simultaneously on the farm lands. Along with these methods farmers can utilize the landscapes and topography to boost biodiversity in their system which turns out to be a good way for sustained farming.
Will an increase in the wildlife populations have any benefits in the overall farm management process?
Farm management is greatly benefited from the flora and fauna in the system. A farming approach which supports wildlife is advantageous for the agricultural activities as it eases the process of pollination and protects the crops from pests and insects. This amplifies the overall production.
According to some field based studies it was observed that major crops such as wheat, oil seed and beans experienced a rise in the yield when about 8% of the land was set aside from the cultivation land. This directly indicates the positive effect of wildlife oriented approach on the farms.
This increase in the production naturally occurs due to transmission of natural services from the wildlife itself. Pest control through predators like spiders, easier pollination thanks to bee population and more. Naturally growing trees, hedges utilize the resources which otherwise would have been used by pests. Maintaining biodiversity will also serve as a great method to protect the constantly declining bee population which is integral in plant’s growth.
The effects of biodiversity might not be instant but, they have their influence on the ecosystem even in the long run. Having tailored farming approach will benefit and promote wildlife which adds to the stability of the ecosystem and helps protect against environmental changes.
If you are also looking forward to start a farm, find the right land at www.fraservalleyfarm.ca at the most competitive prices.
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