Ecological and low intensity agriculture as contributors to landscape and biological diversity

Possible impacts of ecological farming and low intensity conventional agriculture on landscape values such as biodiversity, landscape diversity and nutrient flows are analysed. Literature data and the results of several case studies are summarised. The results show that ecological farming significantly increases biological and landscape diversity and decreases the risk of nutrient leaching and soil erosion. Marginal areas, where low intensity agriculture creates less pollution load and supports biodiversity, have the most potential for conversion to ecological agriculture. However, owing to the greater impacts of ecological agriculture on biodiversity in intensively managed agricultural areas, ecological farming should be developed within the core areas of intensive agricultural production. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.