Effects of organic farming on field boundary vegetation in Denmark

The aim of this study was to assess, whether organic dairy farming has increased the biological diversity of field boundary vegetation when compared to conventional dairy farming, and if increasing organic farming duration affected diversity. The diversity of plant species in field boundaries was found to be higher under organic than under conventional farming. Analysis of community patterns revealed that ruderal species and species with affinity to nutrient rich conditions were most common in conventional field borders, whereas stress-tolerant species were more abundant around organic farming. These differences occurred only 3-4 years after conversion to organic farming. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.