To promote species diversity is one of the principles of organic farming. Do scientific studies on actual farms bear out that the principle is being observed? What makes biodiversity so important for agriculture and vice versa? These are just some of the questions addressed by the factsheet, building upon a broad array of scientific findings.

Rich species diversity is vital to the functioning of many processes in natural ecosystems. Species-rich habitats are more productive and better able to adapt to environmental changes such as global warming. A greater diversity of flora and small-scale structures promotes beneficials which reduce pathogens and pests naturally, and also promotes key pollinators of many crop and wild plant species. Biodiversity-promoting measures in organic farming are designed to make cultivation systems more robust and efficient and help to minimise the use of external auxiliary inputs.