Logan and Albert Conservation Association
Agriculture is a key example of how human activities have profound impacts on the ecosystems of our planet.This year's theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), "Biodiversity and Agriculture," seeks to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to ensure that we will be able to feed the world, maintain agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well being into the 21st century and beyond.
We all need to understand biodiversity so that we can understand how the actions of humans affects the earth's biodiversity and finite natural resources. Each individual choice we make to buy our food and services can help preserve the eath's biodiversity - or detract.
If farmers are careful and manage resources sustainably, they can help preserve biodiversity and the environment. Many farmers around the world use sustainable farming and organic or ecological farming methods. One method is to grow two or more crops in the same field. This helps the farmer reduce crop pests while using fewer pesticides. Another method is to avoid applying pesticides on rainy or windy days so less pesticide will enter waterways causing pollution or get blown away.
Attitudes towards large industrialized mass production of monocrops and single species of farm animals are changing. In South East Queensland there are many farmers producing food organically which means that natural ecosystems are preserved. Attitudes to buying our food are also changing with growing numbers of people choosing to support local growers in a network of COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE or CSA. One such group is Food Connect. Shopping at Farmers' Markets and online shopping are other ways to buy and support local South East Queensland farmers.
If humanity can create sustainable agricultural systems, preserving and biodiversity and ecosystem services, we can feed the world and ensure resources for future generations. If we fail in this collective challenge, environmental security and human wellbeing will be in peril. This is the conclusion in the report Biodiversity and Agriculture, produced by the Convention on Biological Diversity.