Biodiversity agriculture supports human populations

Abstract

The Green Revolution has increased food production to meet world population growth, therefore global food production is at present sufficient to feed all the world's people. However, the modern agricultural system is no longer sustainable due to deterioration of soil conditions. Alternative agricultural methods that aim to conserve biodiversity and soil functioning are not intensively studied, thus the productivity of alternative methods is often not compatible with conventional agricultural practice, and most people are skeptical of the feasibility of introducing alternative methods. Recent advancements in studies of biodiversity and ecological functioning are now supporting early trials by advanced farmers, who respect biodiversity in their fields. In this review, I would like to present some ecological theories to support biodiversity agriculture and its potential to support human populations.