Could someone please direct me to some easily accessible data and/or article/paper on the benefits for birds of organic over non-organic pasture?
Many thanks.
Andy
Hello Andy
A major review of research into organic farming was published this year:
Hole, DG et al (2005) Does organic farming benefit biodiversity? Biological Conservation 122: 113-130.
In general, this paper finds benefits of organic farming through restrictions on the use of inorganic fertiliser and pesticides, sympathetic management of non-farmed habitats, and the predominance of a mix of arable and livestock farming on the holding. There is little evidence of a benefit of organic pasture over conventional pasture, but there was some evidence that organic permanent pasture held a greater diversity of plantlife than conventional pasture. One general conclusion was: it remains unclear whether a 'holistic' whole-farm approach (ie organic) provides greater benefits to biodiversity than carefully targeted prescriptions applid to relatively small areas of cropped and/or non-cropped habitats within conventional agriculture (ie agri-environment schemes).
Many (delayed) thanks for your most helpful reply Richard.
Best wishes