To determine whether the effects of organic farming on biodiversity, crop yields, and profitability vary across landscapes, researchers conducted a global meta-analysis of 148 studies that included 60 crops and found that, compared with conventional agricultural sites, organic sites exhibited 34% greater biodiversity and 50% higher profits despite 18% lower yields; as the field size in a 1 km radius around sampled organic sites increased, so did biodiversity relative to conventional sites, although yields and profit margins declined relative to conventional sites.
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Article #19-06909: "Landscape context affects the sustainability of organic farming systems," by Olivia M. Smith et al .
MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia M. Smith, Washington State University, Pullman, WA; tel: 517-403-0417; email: olivia.m.smith@wsu.edu
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences