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022			_a0735-2689
022			_a1549-7836 (Online)
024	8		_ahttps://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2011.554355
040			_aMX-TxCIM
041			_aeng
100	1		_aGomiero, T. _931754
245	1	0	_aEnvironmental impact of different agricultural management practices : _bconventional vs. organic agriculture
260			_bTaylor and Francis Ltd., _c2011. _aUnited Kingdom :
500			_aPeer review
520			_aOrganic agriculture refers to a farming system that enhance soil fertility through maximizing the efficient use of local resources, while foregoing the use of agrochemicals, the use of Genetic Modified Organisms (GMO), as well as that of many synthetic compounds used as food additives. Organic agriculture relies on a number of farming practices based on ecological cycles, and aims at minimizing the environmental impact of the food industry, preserving the long term sustainability of soil and reducing to a minimum the use of non renewable resources. This paper carries out a comparative review of the environmental performances of organic agriculture versus conventional farming, and also discusses the difficulties inherent in this comparison process. The paper first provides an historical background on organic agriculture and briefly reports on some key socioeconomic issues concerning organic farming. It then focuses on how agricultural practices affect soil characteristics: under organic management soil loss is greatly reduced and soil organic matter (SOM) content increases. Soil biochemical and ecological characteristics appear also improved. Furthermore, organically managed soils have a much higher water holding capacity than conventionally managed soils, resulting in much larger yields compared to conventional farming, under conditions of water scarcity. Because of its higher ability to store carbon in the soil, organic agriculture could represent a means to improve CO2 abatement if adopted on a large scale. Next, the impact on biodiversity is highlighted: organic farming systems generally harbor a larger floral and faunal biodiversity than conventional systems, although when properly managed also the latter can improve biodiversity. Importantly, the landscape surrounding farmed land also appears to have the potential to enhance biodiversity in agricultural areas. The paper then outlines energy use in different agricultural settings: organic agriculture has higher energy efficiency (input/output) but, on average, exhibits lower yields and hence reduced productivity. Nevertheless, overall, organic agriculture appears to perform better than conventional farming, and provides also other important environmental advantages, such as halting the use of harmful chemicals and their spread in the environment and along the trophic chain, and reducing water use. Looking at the future of organic farming, based on the findings presented in this review, there is clearly a need for more research and investment directed to exploring potential of organic farming for reducing the environmental impact of agricultural practices; however, the implications of reduced productivity for the socioeconomic system should also be considered and suitable agricultural policies should be developed.
546			_aText in English
650		7	_aOrganic agriculture _2AGROVOC _92585
650		7	_aSustainability _2AGROVOC _91283
650		7	_aEnergy consumption _2AGROVOC _95034
650		7	_aGreenhouse gas emissions _2AGROVOC _98210
650		7	_aSoil organic matter _2AGROVOC _93022
650		7	_aCarbon sinks _2AGROVOC _931757
650		7	_aBiodiversity _2AGROVOC _91403
700	1		_916849 _aPimentel, D.
700	1		_931758 _aPaoletti, M.G.
773	0		_tCritical Reviews in Plant Sciences _gv. 30, no. 1-2, p, 95–124 _dUnited Kingdom : Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2011. _x0735-2689
942			_cJA _n0 _2ddc
999			_c66482 _d66474