Can organic farming deliver natural heritage goals in the UK uplands?

Summary

Policy support for organic farming in the UK is based in part on the ability of organic farming systems to deliver natural heritage benefi ts. Most UK research on the natural heritage benefi ts of organic farming has addressed lowland arable systems. A reanalysis of a subset of data from a MAFF-funded study of biodiversity in England and Wales suggests that organic systems in predominantly pastoral landscapes may show similar biodiversity benefi ts to ones in predominantly arable landscapes. Future research needs to address organically managed pastoral, hill and upland systems across the UK.