4.1 Diversity
In the natural forest, there is almost no serious pest problem.
The reason is the diversity in plant species and varieties
and in animals and micro-organisms. For example, there are
approximately 199 plant species grown per acre of natural
forest but in one acre of agricultural land, there are very
few species, and in mono-culture, only one.
It is diversity which ensures ecological balance (stability)
while mono-culture is the most unstable ecosystem and susceptible
to things like pest outbreak. Therefore, increasing diversity
is one of the most important points in ecological agriculture
for ensuring stability of farming.
In addition, diversity varies income sources in farm, which
reduces the risk of total failure of crops. Farming methods
which ensure diversity include the following:
- Diverse cropping (Section 6.3)
- Mixed cropping (Section 6.5)
- Crop rotation (Section 6.4)
- Planting permanent trees and grasses in the boundary
area (Section
5.5)
- Keeping various animals (livestock, fish, bees, etc.)
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