What is one way LEAF promotes biodiversity?

LEAF promotes biodiversity by encouraging crop rotation and varied planting, which helps to maintain diverse ecosystems within agricultural landscapes. Crop rotation involves changing the type of crops grown in a particular area across seasons or years, which can enhance soil health and fertility, reduce pest and disease cycles, and provide habitats for a variety of organisms.

Diverse planting schemes contribute to a range of plant species being present in the ecosystem, which fosters beneficial interactions among species and can lead to increased resilience against climate change and pest pressures. This approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability, allowing farmers to adapt to changing conditions and maintain healthier soils over time.

In contrast, methods such as monoculture farming, restricting livestock production, or focusing solely on cash crops can diminish biodiversity, as they often lead to reduced genetic variation, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and degradation of the ecosystem functions that support agriculture.