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Impacts of farming practice within organic farming systems on below-ground ecology and ecosystem function

Stockdale, E A; Phillips, L and Watson, C A (2006) Impacts of farming practice within organic farming systems on below-ground ecology and ecosystem function. In: Atkinson, C; Ball, B; Davies, D H K; Rees, R; Russell, G; Stockdale, E A; Watson, C A; Walker, R and Younie, D (Eds.) Aspects of Applied Biology 79, What will organic farming deliver? COR 2006, Association of Applied Biologists, pp. 43-46.

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Summary

Maintaining ecosystem function is a key issue for sustainable farming systems which contribute broadly to global ecosystem health. A focus simply on the diversity of belowground organisms is not sufficient and there is a need to consider the contribution of below-ground biological processes to the maintenance and enhancement of soil function and ecosystem services. A critical literature review on the impacts of land management practices on below-ground ecology and function shows that farm management practices can have a major impact. A particular challenge for organic farming systems is to explore to what extent reduced tillage can be adopted to the benefit of below-ground ecology without critically upsetting the whole farm management balance.


EPrint Type:Conference paper, poster, etc.
Type of presentation:Paper
Keywords:Below-ground ecology; biodiversity; soil function; soil management; tillage; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Subjects: Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology
Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Crop husbandry > Soil tillage
Research affiliation: UK > Organic Research Centre (ORC)
UK > Univ. Newcastle
UK > Scottish Rural Colleges (SRUC - previously SAC)
UK > Colloquium of Organic Researchers (COR) > COR 2006
Deposited By: MILLMAN, Mrs Carol A
ID Code:10166
Deposited On:13 Dec 2006
Last Modified:12 Apr 2010 07:34
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Not peer-reviewed

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