IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2013) 4-1

Research articleerd

The Role of Organic Farming in Providing Ecosystem
ServicesINSA KÜHLING
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Applied Sciences
Osnabrück, Germany
Email: i.kuehling@hs-osnabrueck.de

DIETER TRAUTZ*
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Applied Sciences
Osnabrück, Germany
Email: d.trautz@hs-osnabrueck.deReceived 1 February 2013

Accepted 27 March 2013(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Ecosystem Services (ESS) are defined as the benefits humans derive from
ecological processes and the ecosystem functions (MA, 2005). The functionality of agroecosystems is strengthened through ES like pollination, biological pest control orhydrological services provided by natural ecosystems (Sandhu et al., 2010). Agroecosystems also produce several ESS such as carbon sequestration, regulation of soil andwater quality and support for biodiversity (Power, 2010). On the other hand agriculture
may have a negative impact on neighboring natural ecosystems. Organic farming is themost sustainable and environmentally compatible way of agricultural land use, by using
biological methods for regulation of pest and diseases instead of chemically-synthesizedpesticides and mineral fertilizers. Thus organic agriculture minimizes negative impacts onnature-related ecosystems while simultaneously providing positive ESS like biodiversity.
Keywords ecosystem services, agro-ecosystems, organic farming, sustainability

INTRODUCTION
Stable ecosystems are required for a functioning natural balance. That is necessary for naturerelated as well as for anthropogenically influenced systems. Essential goods like food, forage, fueland fiber are provided by agricultural ecosystems (Power, 2010; Porter et al., 2009). For asustainable production of these products fertile agro-ecosystems are needed, especially to cover theincreasing demand due to a growing world population.
There are several interactions between natural and agro-ecosystems which can be illustrated
and also valuated by the concept of ecosystem services (ESS). ESS is defined as the benefits
humans obtain from ecosystems and their functions (MA, 2005). With regard to agro-ecosystems it
is necessary to take both aspects into account: consumption as well as provision of ESS. This
document research deals with the description of these interactions and especially with the effect ofdifferent land use intensities (conventional vs. organic farming). Unlike conventional agriculture,
the use of chemically-synthesized pesticides and mineral nitrogen fertilizers in organic farming isexcluded. For this comparison the concept of ESS is used (Swinton et al., 2006).
ECOSYSTEMSThe term ecosystem includes i.a. both natural and agricultural systems. They have basically acomparable structure, consisting simplified of producers, consumers and destruents with closeinteractions to each other (Fig. 1). The system is self-regulating and in the long run in equilibrium(Fig. 1a). Depending on the intensity of use, agricultural systems have various effects on different
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intensive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the biomass of consumers (pests etc.)
is selective decreased (Fig. 1b). Organic farming as a sustainable form of agriculture is anintermediate position, by using biological cycles for the regulation of the agro-ecosystem instead ofchemicals (Fig. 1c).

Fig. 1 Schematic types of ecosystems with their different dimensions of producer (P),consumer (C) and destruents (D)THE THEORY OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Defined as the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, ESS includes supporting, provisioning,regulating and cultural services (Figure 2, left side; MA, 2005). Supporting services are i.a.
pollination, biological control, soil formation, carbon sequestration or nutrient cycling, which areall vital for supplying food and other raw materials (Sandhu et al., 2010) and mentioned asprovisioning services. Regulating services affects e.g. hydrological flows, floods, water quality,climate conditions or diseases. There is also a cultural dimension of ESS that provides aesthetic,
recreational or spiritual benefits for the people.

Fig. 2 Ecosystem services and their connections to human well-being
Source: adapted from (MA, 2005)

Well-being of human species is fundamentally dependent on the flow of ecosystem services(MA, 2005).  People’s  well-being is assumed to have multiple constituents, including security, basic
material for a good life, health, good social relations and freedom of choice and action (Fig. 2, rightside). Security means secure access to natural and other resources, personal safety as well as
safeness from human-made and natural disasters. Aspects like adequate and secure livelihoods,
enough food at all times, shelter and access to goods like clothing etc. are understood as the basicⒸ ISERD

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material for a good life. Under health factors like feeling well and having a healthy physicalenvironment and access to clean air and water are summarized. Good social relations include
mutual respect, social cohesion and the ability to help others and provide for children. Freedom ofchoice and action means the opportunity to achieve what an individual values doing and being. It is
influenced by all other constituents of well-being and is also a precondition for achieving othercomponents (MA, 2005).
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND AGRICULTURE
Agriculture represents humankind's largest engineered ecosystem which is embedded into a web ofnatural ecosystems (Zhang et al., 2007). The effects and direction of the strong interactions
between managed an untouched ecosystems depend on the agricultural production system. Adapted
management practices are able to diminish many of the negative impacts of agricultural land use
without reducing the provisioning services (Power, 2010). Otherwise utilizes intensive agriculture
large quantities of fertilizers and pesticides and acts as a major driver for land uses change anddegradation of ecosystems (Sandhu et al., 2010). By using the concept of ESS it is possible to get
an indicator for long-term sustainability of agricultural production balancing between ESS demandand supply (Björklund et al., 1999).
Conflicts through agriculture
In particular, under intensive conventional management practices neighboring natural ecosystems
may be damaged, also known as ecosystem disservice, which can lead to increasing production
costs or reduced productivities (Zhang et al., 2007). For example the biodiversity of unmanaged
ecosystems provides important services to agriculture while extensive application of fertilizer andpesticides have adverse effects. Also the groundwater related to intensive agricultural usage often
contains high concentrations of nutrients and pesticides which affects human’s  well-being (Tilman,1999). Furthermore unsustainable farming practices encourage problems like soil degradation,
meaning a reduction of nearly all ESS for the future.

Thickness of the green and orange arrows symbolize the significance
Source: adapted from (Sandhu et al., 2010)

Fig. 3 Interaction between ecosystem services and different agricultural systems
Services from agriculture
Of course the main ESS from agro-ecosystems is the provision of classical products (food, fuel,fibre etc.). But farmers also help to maintain several other services that make agriculture productive(Fig. 3).
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Regulating and cultural services flows from agro-ecosystems vary greatly depending on themanagement system. Besides there are also supporting ESS such as pollination, biological pestcontrol, carbon sequestration or soil nutrient renewal supported by agricultural usage (Swinton etal., 2006; Power, 2010).
Benefits from organic farming
Even if the amount of provisioning services in terms of yields per acreage is smaller than underconventional regimes, the balance of all services and disservices is better in organic managed agroecosystems (Fig. 3). Especially the damage of neighboring natural systems is less pronounced.
Thus supporting ESS can increase by promoting the nature cycle through organic farming. Also theregulating and cultural services within organic production systems are higher due to wide and morediverse rotations, no monocultures and often more small-scaled structures.
CONCLUSIONSAs shown, agriculture does not only have negative impacts on nature-related ecosystems but alsogenerates own positive ESS. Particularly favorable becomes the balance in agro-ecosystems underorganic farming practices. For a secured worldwide food supply long term productive ecosystems
are needed. Organic agriculture fully matches these conditions as the most sustainable way for
production of food and other raw materials.
REFERENCES
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Power, A.G. 2010. Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B, 365,2959-2971.
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