Benefits of increasing plant diversity in sustainable agroecosystems

Summary Recent studies have revealed many potential benefits of increasing plant diversity in natural ecosystems, as well as in agroecosystems and production forests. Plant diversity potentially provides a partial to complete substitute for many costly agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, imported pollinators and irrigation. Diversification strategies include enhancing crop genetic diversity, mixed plantings, rotating crops, agroforestry and diversifying landscapes surrounding croplands. Here we briefly review studies considering how increasing plant diversity influences the production of crops, forage, and wood, yield stability, and several regulating and supporting agroecosystem services. We…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1234162, FP7/2007-2013
• AW
  Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: FP7/2007-2013, 2007-2013, FP7/2007, 265171
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: FZT 118, FOR 456, FOR 1451, FP7/2007-2013
• DZ
  Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung Halle-Jena-Leipzig

  Award: FZT 118
• SF
  Seventh Framework Programme

  Award: 265171