The Importance of biodiversity in agriculture
Biodiversity is the set of all forms of life on earth, from microorganisms to plants and animals. In the agricultural context, its importance is fundamental and manifests itself in multiple ways:
- Productivity:
- Pollination: The biodiversity of insects and other pollinators is essential for the reproduction of many cultivated plants.
- Biological pest control: The presence of natural predators helps to keep pest populations under control, reducing the need for pesticides.
- Improvement of soil quality: The diversity of microorganisms in the soil improves its structure, fertility and ability to retain water.
- Resilience:
- Adaptation to climate change: Crops with greater genetic diversity are better able to adapt to variable and extreme climatic conditions.
- Disease resistance: Genetic diversity reduces susceptibility to diseases and pests.
- Services to the ecosystem:
- Nutrient cycle: Biodiversity plays a crucial role in the nutrient cycle, ensuring the availability of essential nutrients for plants.
- Climate regulation: Diverse agricultural ecosystems contribute to the regulation of local climate, mitigating the effects of climate change.
- Food security:
- Variety of crops: The diversity of crops ensures a more nutritious and safe diet, reducing dependence on a small number of species.
- Adaptation to different environments: Crops adapted to different environmental conditions contribute to long-term food security.
The above mentioned shows the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems considering that they are natural spaces where a series of processes are generated and that many of them are carried out by the biodiversity present, such as, for example, soil microorganisms that influence the process of mineralization of organic matter. That is why it is important that the management carried out in these agricultural spaces does not threaten the balance of the ecosystem, previously the following management were carried out that interfere with the present biodiversity.
- Intensive use of agrochemicals: Pesticides and fertilizers can eliminate beneficial species and contaminate soil and water.
- Monocultures: The production of a single crop in large areas reduces species diversity and increases vulnerability to pests and diseases.
The management mentioned in some countries has been reducing and beginning to implement alternatives or agroecological strategies, which as the name suggests takes into account the components of the system, these practices are sustainable because they do not threaten biodiversity and the environment of the agricultural ecosystem. We can mention some as:
- Ecological agriculture: promotes sustainable agricultural practices that favor biodiversity.
- Crop rotation: reduces the accumulation of pests and diseases and improves soil health.
- Use of cover crops: They protect the soil, improve its fertility and provide habitat for beneficial insects.
- Agroforestry systems: Combine trees and crops, increasing biodiversity and improving soil quality.
| Final considerations |
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In conclusion, dear readers, biodiversity is a fundamental pillar for sustainable agriculture and food security, by promoting agricultural practices that favor biodiversity, we are ensuring a more sustainable future for coming generations, with healthier ecosystems by reducing the pollution of natural resources such as water by the indiscriminate use of pesticides to artificially increase the production of agricultural crops.
| Bibliographic references |
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- Roa, J. (2002). basic fundamentals of environmental processes for engineers. 3rd ed. Funet. San Cristóbal, Venezuela.
Sources
- Photography and images: The images shown in the article are in the public domain, information that can be verified at the bottom of each photograph.
- Agrotecnia banner: made by the author @amestyj with own images
- Hive Banner: Designed by the author @amestyj with image owned by hive.
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