By biological diversity we mean a
- large number of habitats and ecosystems,
- the species living therein and
- the genetic diversity within the species.
the state of biodiversity is poor on three levels: globally, across the EU, and also in Austria. The diversity of habitats and species is declining, and a large proportion of protected resources are in an unfavorable conservation status. The causes for this are manifold and range from:
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Depending on the different farming practices, land management can have a positive, neutral, or negative impact on biodiversity . For the sake of sustainability, our agriculture requires intact biodiversity as an important basis for life and production.
What can every farmer, and indeed every individual in society, do to preserve or improve the state of biodiversity? In implementing the EU Restoration Regulation, including through the development of national restoration plans, jointly negotiated measures be both sensible and necessary. Biodiversity and agriculture should not be seen as contradictory, but rather as a shared concern for ensuring sustainable food systems within the environment.
If you would like to learn more about how biodiversity and agriculture are connected and what can be done to preserve them, you should listen to this podcast:
In this podcast episode, Dr. Andreas Steinwidder talks with Dr. Helmut Gaugitsch, the head of the Biodiversity department at the German Federal Environment Agency, about biodiversity and why it is crucial for humans and nature – just take a look:
