Enhancing Aboveground Diversity: A Checklist

Enhancing Aboveground Biodiversity: A Checklist For Farmers

Diversify enterprises by including more species of crops and livestock.
Use legume-based crop rotations and mixed pastures.
Intercrop or strip-crop annual crops where feasible.
Mix varieties of the same crop.
Use varieties that carry many genes—rather than just one or two—for tolerating a particular insect or disease.
Emphasize open-pollinated crops over hybrids for their adaptability to local environments and greater genetic diversity.
Grow cover crops in orchards, vineyards and crop fields.
Leave strips of wild vegetation at field edges.
Provide corridors for wildlife and beneficial insects.
Practice agroforestry: where possible, combine trees or shrubs with crops or livestock to improve habitat continuity for natural enemies.
Plant microclimate-modifying trees and native plants as windbreaks or hedgerows.
Provide a source of water for birds and insects.
Leave areas of the farm untouched as habitat for plant and animal diversity.

(see Chapter 4 to learn about enhancing belowground biodiversity)

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