Biodiversity is only possible with ecological infrastructures

Ecological Infrastructures: Living Foundations of Agricultural Biodiversity

Holding the principle that “biodiversity is only possible with ecological infrastructures”, BIOSANI maintains that the conservation and promotion of the diversity of living beings in agricultural spaces requires the creation and maintenance of functional habitats that favour the establishment and proliferation of beneficial organisms. These include pollinators, predators, parasites, natural antagonists of pests and diseases, as well as microorganisms essential to soil health.

Ecological infrastructures are landscape elements with high environmental and agronomic value, and include:

• Hedges and strips of spontaneous native vegetation;
• Meadows and fallow areas;
• Stone walls and natural mounds;
• Wetlands and watercourses (permanent or temporary).

Vital functions of ecological infrastructures in the agricultural ecosystem

These structures play crucial roles for the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems:

• Food resources: they provide nectar, pollen, water and alternative prey, increasing the survival, fecundity and longevity of auxiliary organisms;
• Shelter and refuge: they protect auxiliaries against adverse climatic conditions, secondary predators and exposure to plant protection products;
• Breeding and dispersal sites: they facilitate the colonisation and recolonisation of crops, promoting biological balance;
• Ecosystem services: they contribute to pollination, biological control, nutrient recycling, water and air purification, and climate regulation.

Studies indicate that the presence of ecological infrastructures can significantly increase functional biodiversity, reducing dependence on pesticides and promoting the resilience of agroecosystems.

Note: This text represents the vision of BIOSANI and the rationale behind its practices and services. It does not intend to be exhaustive, but rather to reflect the truth in which we believe and which we promote among our partners and clients.