Ecoagriculture: Integrating Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation –

A Landscape Perspective

Sara J. Scherr

President, Ecoagriculture Partners

Agricultural systems are designed and managed by farmers, usually at field and farm scales, to favor selected components of biodiversity that provide harvestable products, or support their production (e.g., pollinators, soil microorganisms). ‘Ecoagriculture’ is an approach in which farmers work with other land managers across a given landscape, to also provide habitat for wild species, ecological communities and ecosystem services. Ecoagriculture landscapes typically include a mosaic of natural areas (riparian, wetlands, wildlife breeding sites, critical habitat, et al) strategically inter-linked with production fields that are ‘biodiversity-friendly.” Production sites may serve directly as habitat for some species, or function as ‘corridors’ linking natural areas. Key design components for ecoagriculture landscapes include:

• Siting and managing protected areas and wildlife to also provide benefit farmers or their communities;
• Utilizing non-farmed areas to form habitat networks and corridors;
• Expanding natural areas by enabling farmers to raise agricultural productivity in sustainably farmed areas;
• Minimizing agricultural pollution through improved methods of nutrient and pest management, and farm and waterway filters;
• Modifying the management of soil, water and natural vegetation in ways that enhance habitat quality of farmlands; and
• Modifying the mix and configuration of agricultural species to mimic the structure and function of natural vegetation.

This presentation will discuss synergies between agriculture and biodiversity in existing ecoagriculture systems, and outline an approach to landscape design that respects both agricultural livelihood and biodiversity conservation goals. Both short- and long-term approaches can promote such synergies on a scale that will provide meaningful benefits for agriculture, biodiversity and rural livelihoods.