Development of agroecological systems based on biodiversity and ecosystem services

Alain PeetersRHEA Research Centre, Belgium

Brussels

Paris

The action research project

Ecological strategy of agroecology

• Replacing fossil fuels by ecosystem services provided by biodiversity

• Investing in biodiversity at all levels

Ecological strategy of agroecology

• Relying on local resources• = endogenous soil fertility• ≠ massive use of commercial inputs

• Intensive in observations, thinking and knowledge

Ecological strategy of agroecology

Higher resilience to climate change Mitigation of climate change by carbon storage

and lower GHG emissions

Economic and social strategy of agroecology

Costs Revenue

Benefits

Economic and social strategy of agroecology

Decreasing costs

Costs Revenue

Benefits

Out-wintering pad = low investment

Economic and social strategy of agroecology

Decreasing costs

Increasingrevenue

Costs Revenue

Benefits

Economic and social strategy of agroecology

Decreasing costs

Increasingrevenue

Costs Revenue

Benefits

Developing the ecological network

Pest suppressive ecological infrastructures

Role of herbaceous strips Natural enemies of crop pests and wildlife habitat

Plot division60m-wide plots separated by 3m-wide herbaceous strips

Long and diverse crop rotation

Alternance of legumes with non-legume crops

Organic non-inversion tillage system with a continuous soil cover

Biomax in intercropping between two main crops

Agroecological techniques

Biomax = Maximum of Biomass and Biodiversity

Biomax rolled and crop sown in one single operation

Crop species and cultivar diversification

oats

triticale

pea

Non inversion tillageSuperficial soil works

Agroecological techniques

Fast positive effects on soil life

Grass-based

Full outdoorFeed self-sufficiencyLegumes

Rustic breeds: Angus cows and other breedsLong cycle rotational stocking

Livestock

Gross margins per ha AA € €

Gross margin without subsidies 897 ≈ 0

Subsidies 665

Gross margin with subsidies 1,562 300

Examples of economic performance of the agroecological system compared to conventional

arable farming (2015)

Agroecology Conv.

Social and societal aspects

‘Give biodiversity a chance!’

Thank you