Intensive farming has caused a major decline in biodiversity, from the negative effects of pesticides to land consolidation and immense habitat change. Organic agricultural practices support biodiversity on all levels; genetic, species, habitat and ecosystem. Farmers benefit from this increased on-farm biodiversity through improved pollination, more active soil life, pest reduction and control by natural enemies, and nutrient cycling, pollution and erosion regulation, among others. Besides, organic farming favours and supports the development and use of indigenous animal breeds and plant varieties. Conservation of semi-natural areas in agricultural landscapes is a central factor for biodiversity and nature conservation. Nature conservation measures should be integrated into organic production practices and long-term farm planning, examples of such actions include: reducing or adapting cropping operations frequency and dates, planting flower strips, hedgerows or other permanent landscape elements at field margins, integrating leys into crop-rotations and many more.

The focus in this theme is on farming practices which promote on-farm floral and faunal biodiversity and conserve natural habitats.