Impact of organic production on biodiversity in northern agricultural environments

Maintaining diversity in agriculture has been regarded as one of the strengths of organic production. Organic production also seeks to increase and use diversity that serves production to support soil fertility management, pollination and crop protection.

In 2023, we published, with the Finnish Environment Institute and the University of Helsinki, a synthesis report which summarised available research data on the impact of organic production of diversity in Finland and boreal agricultural areas. In the light of current research data, diversity impact ranges from neutral to positive.

Organic production provides the most significant benefits for arable crops because no pesticides are used. Based on the small amount of research data available, organic production has a positive or neutral impact on pollinators, birds, as well as soil microbiota and organisms. In predator arthropods and butterflies, no differences in the species range or the number of individuals have been identified between production methods.

Measures that support and advance diversity can be taken on all farms, regardless of the production method. Providing sufficient nutrition and reproduction locations for various organisms and reducing any adverse impact on the ecosystem are key. The diversity of most groups of organisms can be supported by increasing open uncultivated areas, including edge areas, meadows and long-term fallows, and by diversifying the landscape.