Integrated farming and biodiversity (ENRR634)

The overall aim of this report is to provide English Nature with scientifically robust information to determine whether integrated farming systems have the capacity to deliver biodiversity benefits. Eleven European studies were identified which compared the biodiversity under an Integrated Farm Management (IFM) system with a conventionally managed system. Nine studies were all arable and two were mixed. On average, IFM reduced nitrogen use by 18%, herbicide use by 43%, fungicides by 50% and insecticides/molluscicides by 55% compared with conventional management. In addition to the eleven key studies, 60 peer reviewed papers and technical reports describing IFM and biodiversity were reviewed.