creators_name: Alfoeldi, Thomas
creators_name: Fliessbach, Andreas
creators_name: Geier, Uwe
creators_name: Kilcher, Lukas
creators_name: Niggli, Urs
creators_name: Pfiffner, Lukas
creators_name: Stolze, Matthias
creators_name: Willer, Helga
editors_name: El-Hage Scialabba, Nadia
editors_name: Caroline, Hattam
type: bookchapter
datestamp: 2003-03-20
lastmod: 2009-08-20 14:19:01
metadata_visibility: show
title: Organic Agriculture and the Environment
ispublished: pub
subjects: 7biodiversity
subjects: 1soilqual
subjects: 5emissions
full_text_status: restricted
keywords: organic agriculture, organic aquaculture, agro-ecology, ecological management, resource-poor farmers, community development, rural livelihoods, international trade, markets, food security, food supply chains, funktionelle Biodiversität
abstract: Conclusion of chapter 2: "Organic Farming and the Environment"
7	Conclusion
The findings of this study show that organic farming provides a wide range of environmental services. The main results may be summarised as follows:
1.	Organic matter content is usually higher in organically managed soils indicating a higher fertility and stability of organic soils, thus reducing the risk of erosion. 
2.	Organically farmed soils have significantly higher biological activity and a higher total mass of micro-organisms. As a consequence of the higher activity of micro-organisms, in organically managed soils nutrients are recycled faster and soil structure is improved.
3.	Organic farming poses no risk of ground and surface water pollution through synthetic pesticides. Nitrate leaching rates per hectare are significantly lower in organic farming compared to conventional farming systems.
4.	With respect to energy consumption organic farming is performing better than conventional farming on a per hectare scale.
5.	The diversity of cultivated species and of agricultural genetic resources is higher in organic farming.
6.	Floral and faunal biodiversity on organic land is higher than on conventional land. Furthermore a higher number of endangered and rare species are present.
7.	Organic farming offers vast food resources for beneficial arthropods and birds, thus contributing to natural pest control. 
8.	With respect to pollinators we concluded that organic farming contributes to their conservation and survival, as organic farming does not use synthetic chemical pesticides or herbicides and enhances ecosystem diversity. 
9.	Organic farming systems have positive effects on ecosystem diversity and can thus contribute to positive landscape development. Combining semi-natural habitats with organic farming results in synergistic effects on agricultural land and thus contributes to species richness.
10.	Organic farming enables ecosystems to better adjust to the effects of climate change and offers a major potential to reduce the emissions of agricultural greenhouse gases.
11.	Organic agricultural strategies comprises recycling of organic matter and tightening internal nutrient cycles, thus contributing to carbon sequestration.
12.	Organic farming techniques bear potentials to improve soil fertility, soil structure and moisture retention capacity and thus provide solutions to the problems associated with desertification. 
As a final assessment we conclude that organic farming leads to more favourable conditions at all environmental levels. Organic farming counteracts resource depletion (water, energy, nutrients), contributes positively to the problems associated with climate change and desertification and can help to maintain and enhance biodiversity at a global scale. 
Scientific evidence of the environmental benefits of organic farming for the Southern hemisphere is rare, but from many practical experiences may be assumed that the points listed above also apply to the tropics and subtropics. More research on the environmental services and benefits of organic farming in this part of the world is urgently needed. 



Abstract of Full Publication "Organic agriculture, environment and food security"


Organic agriculture is defined as an environmentally and socially sensitive food supply system. This publication examines its many facets, looking at the contribution of organic agriculture to ecological health, international markets and local food security. It builds on empirical experiences throughout the world and analyses the prospects for a wider adoption of organic agriculture. Numerous scenarios depicted in this publication represent the millions of people from all social and economic backgrounds who have adopted this new agrarian ethic on the integrity of food. An introduction to the general concepts of organic agriculture includes an overview of its agronomic, economic, social and institutional performance. Further, the publication presents scientific evidence of the impact of organic agriculture on environmental goods and services and offers an evaluation of its possible contribution to the implementation of international environmental agreements. It also reviews the current status, trends and prospective development of certified organic agriculture production and trade. The important contribution of resource-poor peasants and indigenous farmers to non-certified organic agriculture is highlighted and reviewed. Specific examples of how organic agriculture improves agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods are presented, along with lessons for scaling up positive experiences. The emerging sector of organic aquaculture is described, and its potential is discussed. Finally, case studies from Brazil, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Thailand and Uganda show how traditional knowledge, social mobilization and agro-ecological approaches have been used to restore degraded natural resources while producing food. The small farmers who seek fully integrated food systems are given recognition throughout the publication. They, along with the consumers who are creating market-based incentives for ecological management of agricultural systems, are at the centre of the “organic movement”. The publication discusses the weakness of institutional support for nurturing existing knowledge and exchange in organic agriculture, support that could further enhance organic agriculture’s positive impact on the natural and human environments.
date: 2002
date_type: published
series: Environment and Natural Resources Series
publication: Organic agriculture, environment and food security
publisher: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation (FAO), Rome
refereed: never
referencetext: 8.1	References Section 1: Ecosystem approach in organic agriculture 
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8.2	References section 2: Organic farming and abiotic resources 
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8.3	References section 3: Organic farming and biodiversity 
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Pfiffner, L (2000) Significance of organic farming for invertebrate diversity -enhancing beneficial organisms with field margins in combination with organic farming. In: Stolton, S, Geier, B and McNeely, J A, (eds.) (2000) The Relationship Between Nature Conservation, Biodiversity and Organic Agriculture, Proceedings of an International Workshop, Vignola, Italy, 1999. IFOAM, Tholey-Theley, Germany, p. 52-66
Pfiffner, L and Luka, H (1999) Overwintering of arthropods in soils of arable fields and adjacent seminatural habitats. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 1529 p.1-8. 
Pfiffner, L and Luka, H (2002) Effects of low-input farming systems on carabids and epigeal spiders in cereal crops – a paired farm approach in NW-Switzerland. Paper Submitted August 2001 for Publication in Basic and Applied Ecology
Pfiffner, L and Mäder, P (1997) Effects of Biodynamic, Organic, and Conventional Production Systems on Earthworm Populations. Entomological Research in Organic Agriculture. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 15:3-10. 
Pfiffner, L and Niggli, U (1996) Effects of Bio-dynamic, Organic and Conventional Farming on Ground Beetles (Col. Carabidae) and Other Epigaeic Arthropods in Winter Wheat. In: Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 1996, Vol 12, pp. 353-364
Pfiffner, L, Häring, A, Dabbert, S, Stolze, M and Piorr, A (2001) Contributions of Organic Farming to a sustainable environment. In: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (2001) European Conference: Organic Food and Farming - Towards Partnership and Action in Europe, 10.-11.5.2001, Copenhagen. Proceedings [online]. Document available at: http://www.fvm.dk/kundeupload/konferencer/organic_food_farming/proceedings.pdf
Parrott, N and Marsden, T (2002) Organic and agro-ecological farming in the developing world. A scoping report for Greenpeace Environmental Trust. Cardiff
Pryor, A W (2000) Organic certified products as a basis for sustainable management of biological reserves: “Case study of Guayaki biological reserve in Paraguay”. In: Alfoeldi, T, Lockeretz, W and Niggli, U (eds.) (2000) IFOAM 2000 – The World Grows Organic. Proceedings 13th IFOAM Scientific Conference. Zuerich: 465
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Soil Association (2000) The biodiversity benefits of organic farming. Soil Association; Bristol. 
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Stolton, S (2002) Biodiversity and Organic Agriculture. Draft; to be published as IFOAM Dossier No. 2, spring 2002. Available from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), D-Tholey-Theley, Germany
Stolton, S and Nigel, Dudley, N (2000a) The Use of Certification of sustainable management Systems and their possible application to protected area management. Homepage of the Conference Beyond the Trees (http://www.panda.org/forests4life/spotlights/trees/index.htm), 8.-11.May 2000 in Bangkok, Thailand. Paper available at http://www.panda.org/forests4life/spotlights/trees/bt_sdpaper.htm
Stolton, S and Dudley, N (2000b) Organic agriculture in protected areas – creating partnerships for development. In: Alföldi, T, Lockeretz, W and Niggli, U (eds.) (2000) Proceedings 13th International IFOAM scientific conference. Zürich.
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Stolton, S, Geier, B and McNeely, J A (eds.) (2000) The Relationship Between Nature Conservation, Biodiversity and Organic Agriculture, Proceedings of an International Workshop, Vignola, Italy, 1999. IFOAM, Tholey-Theley,Germany
Stolze, M, Piorr, A, Häring A and Dabbert, S (2000) The Environmental Impacts of Organic Farming in Europe. University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart. 
Thies, C and Tscharntke, T (1999) Landscape structure and Biological Control in Agroecosystems. In: Science, Vol. 285
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Weiger, H and Willer, H (1997) Naturschutz durch ökologischen Landbau. Ökologische Konzepte 95. Stiftung Ökologie und Landbau. Bad Dürkheim, Germany 
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8.4	References Section 4: Organic agriculture and climate change 
Bockisch, F J (ed.) (2000) Bewertung von Verfahren der ökologischen und konventionellen Produktion im Hinblick auf den Energieeinsatz und bestimmte Schadgasemissionen Landbauforschung Völkenrode, Sonderheft 211. Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Braunschweig.
Bossel, H, Meier-Ploeger, A, Vogtmann, H (1994) Landwirtschaft und Ernaehrung. Quantitative Analysen und Fallstudien (Teilbericht A) und ihre klimatische Relevanz (Teil B).Veraenderungstendenzen im Ernaehrungssystem. In: Enquete-Kommission Schutz der Erdatmosphaere des Deutschen Bundestages (Hrsg.) Landwirtschaft. Studienprogramm, Teilband II. S. 5-189, Bonn
Burdick, B (1994) Klimaänderung und Landbau - Die Agrarwirtschaft als Täter und Opfer. Ökologische Konzepte, Vol. 85, Bad Dürkheim
Busemann, C and Heusinger, E (1999) Ernährungssicherung durch ökologischen Landbau? Ökologie und Landbau 110, 28-31
Cole, C V, Duxbury, J, Freney, J, Heinemeyer, O, Minami, K, Mosier, A, Paustian, K, Rosenberg, N, Sampson, N, Sauerbeck, D and Zhao, Q (1997) Global estimates of potential mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions by agriculture. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 49, 221-228.
Drinkwater, L E, Wagoner, P and Sarrantonio, M (1998) Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses. Nature 396, 262-264.
Haas, G and Köpke, U (1994) Vergleich der Klimarelevanz ökologischer und konventioneller Landbewirtschaftung. In Enquète-Kommission Schutz der Erdatmosphäre des Deutschen Bundestages (ed.) (1994) Schutz der Grünen Erde Klimaschutz durch umeltgerechte Landwirtschaft und Erhalt der Wälder (, Bonn, 92-196. Economica Verlag, Bonn.
Haas, G, Geier, U, Schulz, D G and Köpke, U (1995) Klimarelevanz des Agrarsektors der Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Reduzierung der Emission von Kohlendioxid. In Berichte über Landwirtschaft, Vol. 73, 387-400 
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2001) Revised guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories. Chapter 4, Agriculture, Nitrous oxide from agricultural soils and manure management, OECD, Paris, France
Reilly, J, Baethgen, W, Chege, F E, van de Geijn, S C, Erda, L, Iglesias, A, Kenny, G J, Patterson, D, Rogasik, J. Rotter, R, Rosenzweig, C, Sombroek, W, and Westbrook, J (1996) Agriculture in a changing climate: impacts and adaptation. In: Watson, R T, Zinyowera, M C and Moss, R H (eds.). Climate Change 1995, impacts adaptations and mitigation of climate change: Scientific-Technical and analyses. The Second Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Contribution of Working Group II, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 427-467. (CEARSPub-96-11-IPCC-3)
Sauerbeck, D (2001) CO2-Emissionen und Kohlenstoffsenken im Landbau - Möglichkeiten und Grenzen ihrer Beeinflussung -. In Rosenkranz, D, Bachmann, G, König, W and Einsele, G (eds.) Bodenschutz Vol. 2, Kapitel 4130, 31 S. Verlag Erich Schmidt, Berlin.
Smith, P, Powlson, D S, Glendining, M J and Smith, J U (1997) Potential for carbon sequestration in European soils: Preliminary estimates for five scenarios using results from long-term experiments. Global Change Biology 3, 67-79.
Stolze, M, Piorr, A, Häring, A and Dabbert, S (2000) The Environmental Impacts of Organic Farming in Europe. University of Hohenheim; Stuttgart
Tilman, D (1998) The greening of the green revolution. Nature 396, 211-212.
Tilman, D (1999) Global environmental impacts of agricultural expansion: The need for sustainable and efficient practices. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 96, 5995-6000.
Watson, R T, Zinyowera, M C, Moss, R C (1996) Technologies, Policies and Measures for Mitigating Climate Change. November 1996, paper prepared under the auspices of IPCC Working Group II. Published at http://www.gcrio.org/ipcc/techrepI/toc.html, at the Homepage of the US Global Change Research Information Office (GCRIO) (http://www.gcrio.org), Columbia University, New York
8.5	References Section 5: Organic agriculture and desertification
Harris, P C, Lloyd, H D, Hofny-Collins, A H, Barrett, A R and Browne, A W (1998) Organic Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa: Farmer demand and potential for development. Published by the Department of International Development and the Henry Doubleday Research Association. Ryton-on-Dunsmore
Forschungsinstitut fuer biologischen Landbau (FiBL) (1998) Proposal for 3 Test Plots on organic citrus production in collaboration FiBL-UNICA (Cuba) Unpublished Document. Frick, 1998
Kotschi, J (1985) Möglichkeiten für eine ökologische Agrarproduktion in der Dritten Welt. In: Vogtmann, H (ed.) Oekologischer Landbau – Landwirtschaft mit Zukunft. Stuttgart
Kotschi, J (ed.) (1986) Towards control of desertification in African drylands: problems, experiences, guidelines. Sonderpublikation der GTZ 168, published jointly by the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Eschborn 1986
Djigma, A, Nikiema, E, Lairon, D and Ott, P (eds.) (1990) Proceedings of the IFOAM Seventh International Scientific Conference, 2-5. January 1989, Ouagadougou, Bukina Faso, IFOAM; Tholey-Theley.
Parrott, N and Marsden, T (2002) Organic and Agro-ecological Farming in the developing world. A scoping report for Greenpeace Environmental Trust. Cardiff
Scialabba, N (2000) Opportunities and constraints of organic agriculture. A socio-ecological analysis. Università degli studi della Tuscia. Faculty of Agriculture, Viterbo 17-28 July 2000. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome
United Nations Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (2001) Homepage of the United Nations Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification. United Nations Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification, Bonn, Germany, Available at http://www.unccd.int 

8.6	References Section 6: Organic agriculture and comprehensive evaluations
Haas, G, Wetterich, Fand Köpke, U (2001) Comparing intensive, extensified and organic grassland farming in southern Germany by process life cycle assessment. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 83/1-2, 43-53
Pfiffner, L, Häring, A, Dabbert, S, Stolze, M and Piorr, A (2001) Contributions of Organic Farming to a sustainable environment. In: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (2001) European Conference: Organic Food and Farming - Towards Partnership and Action in Europe, 10.-11.5.2001, Copenhagen. Proceedings [online]. Document available at: http://www.fvm.dk/kundeupload/konferencer/organic_food_farming/proceedings.pdf
Reganold, J, Glover, J, Andrews, P and Hinman, H (2001) Sustainability of three apple production systems. Nature, 410, 926-929
Stolton, S (1997) Fighting Draught in Kenya. In: Ecology & Farming, No. 19
Stolze, M, Piorr, A, Häring, A and Dabbert, S (2000) The environmental impacts of organic farming in Europe. Organic farming in Europe, Volume 6, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart

citation: Alfoeldi, Thomas; Fliessbach, Andreas; Geier, Uwe; Kilcher, Lukas; Niggli, Urs; Pfiffner, Lukas; Stolze, Matthias and Willer, Helga (2002) Organic Agriculture and the Environment. In: El-Hage Scialabba, Nadia and Caroline, Hattam (Eds.) Organic agriculture, environment and food security, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation (FAO), Rome, chapter 2.
document_url: http://orgprints.org/573/1/y4137e02.htm
document_url: http://orgprints.org/573/2/alfoeldi-et-al-2002-oa-and-environment.doc