Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating plants, raising animals, and producing food, fiber, and other agricultural products for human use. It is the process of harnessing and modifying the environment to grow crops, rear livestock, and manage natural resources to meet the needs of human populations.
Whereas, Permaculture uses natural cycles and ecosystems as blueprint. Food is produced in an agricultural ecosystem that is as self-regulating, natural and diverse as possible. For example, livestock farming is integrated into the cultivation of crops or the diversity of beneficial organisms is promoted in order to avoid the use of mineral fertilizers or pesticides.
In a study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, researchers from RPTU and BOKU have now, for the first time, comprehensively investigated the effects of this planning and management concept on the environment.
According to the study, the soil quality and biodiversity on the permaculture plots was distinctly higher compared to the surrounding conventional agricultural land and theory of what it should be. There was also a higher soil nutrient content, meaning higher in potential crop production. Furthermore, there was a more bird species, plant species, earthworms and soil microorganisms.
According to the research, permaculture appears to be more ecologically
sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture
To read more detail about the study click here
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