Farmers could increase their revenues by increasing biodiversity on their land according to a study by an interdisciplinary research team in Switzerland and Germany.
The result of the research, which included agricultural sciences, ecology and economics, was published in the journal. Nature CommunicationsExternal link.
The researchers claim that biodiversity is an economically relevant factor of production. They argue that if 16 different plant species grow in a field instead of just one, the quality of the forage remains more or less the same, but the yield is higher – which directly correlates to the income that can be made from milk sales.
“The resultant increase in revenues in our study is comparable to the difference in yield between extensively and intensively farmed land,” says Sergei Schaub, lead author of the study.
Positive all over
He says biodiversity has an economically positive effect on all areas, regardless of whether farmers move and fertilise them four times a year of just once. However, the more difficult it becomes to maintain a high level of biodiversity, because only a few plant species can withstand fertilisation and frequent mowing, according to the researchers.
Swiss farmers already take more advantage of this economic effect than their counterparts in other countries, the statement adds.
“Biodiversity is also a kind of risk insurance,” says Nina Buchmann, professor of grassland science at ETH Zurich. Diverse grasslands are better off to cope with extreme events such as droughts or floods, according to her.
Switzerland has so-called ecological compensation areas, i.e., grasslands for which farmers pay particular attention to promoting biodiversity. However, these areas often have poor soils and the yields they produce cannot be compared with those of high-quality grassland.
The researchers were able to use data from the long-term Jena ExperimentExternal link, which – among other questions – compared different farming practices at the same site, according to the ETH Zurich press release.
More
More
The lost world of Swiss Alpine biodiversity
This content was published on
An illustrated volume containing some of the first colour images of Swiss landscapes traces the beginnings of research into ecosystems.
This content was published on
The Canton of Zurich is leading an ambitious pilot project to battle 20 invasive plants over a wide stretch of land in Reppischtal.
Swiss foreign minister praises improved relations with Italy
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis expressed his satisfaction on Tuesday with the good relations that Switzerland has developed with Italy.
Boating and swimming to be banned on part of River Aare in Bern
This content was published on
From September, the city and canton of Bern will be carrying out extensive construction work on the River Aare to protect against flooding and to renovate the Marzili outdoor pool.
Moutier: foreigners familiarise themselves with right to vote
This content was published on
From 2026, Moutier will be part of the Swiss canton of Jura, gaining more than 1,000 new voters. On Monday around 50 people were informed about their new rights.
Switzerland ‘more than ready’ to host Ukraine summit
This content was published on
Switzerland is more than ready to host a summit between Russia and Ukraine, says Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, highlighting Switzerland's expertise in this area.
This content was published on
Every second aircraft at Zurich Airport took off late this summer. However, the situation has already improved significantly compared to last year.
Swiss union federation demands average wage increase of 2%
This content was published on
The employees' umbrella organisation Travailsuisse is demanding an average wage increase of two percent for all employees in the coming year. This would cover the rising cost of living and make up for wage shortfalls in recent years.
‘Dr Pump’ sentenced for administering unauthorised substances
This content was published on
A Bern Regional Court has found the Solothurn doctor known as "Dr Pump" guilty of offences against the Sports Promotion Law. The man had administered unauthorised substances to patients.
This content was published on
Volunteering can have a positive effect on mental health. According to a survey conducted in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, people who volunteer for others also strengthen themselves.
This content was published on
Twint is being used more and more frequently to make purchases at the till or transfer money to friends using a smartphone. By the middle of the year, the payment app already had more than six million users in Switzerland.
This content was published on
The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin should take place in Europe, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. He is calling for it to be held in Geneva.
This content was published on
The story of Swiss wetlands – or how, in a few strokes, humankind has destroyed what nature built over thousands of years.
Politicians give CHF1 billion to prevent future Rhône flooding
This content was published on
Parliament has granted over CHF1 billion to go towards the next stage of anti-flood works around the Rhône river in western Switzerland.
This content was published on
A study of meadows and pastures has shown that those at higher elevations are in worse condition than they were 20 years ago.
EPFL software aims to protect the world’s most endangered species
This content was published on
Researchers in Lausanne have developed software that helps biologists better identify animal and plant species most exposed to climate change.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.