Agricultural diversification promotes multiple ecosystem services without compromising yield

TLDR

Enhancing biodiversity in cropping systems is suggested to promote ecosystem services, thereby reducing dependency on agronomic inputs while maintaining high crop yields. The study aims to evaluate how diversification practices affect above‑ and belowground biodiversity and ecosystem services. This evaluation was conducted by reviewing 98 meta‑analyses and performing a second‑order meta‑analysis of 5,160 original studies comprising 41,946 comparisons between diversified and simplified practices. Diversification increases biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without compromising crop yields; aboveground measures mainly improve pest control and water regulation, belowground measures enhance nutrient cycling and soil fertility, most studies show win‑win outcomes, though context‑dependent trade‑offs exist, and widespread adoption could support biodiversity conservation and food security.

Abstract

Enhancing biodiversity in cropping systems is suggested to promote ecosystem services, thereby reducing dependency on agronomic inputs while maintaining high crop yields. We assess the impact of several diversification practices in cropping systems on above- and belowground biodiversity and ecosystem services by reviewing 98 meta-analyses and performing a second-order meta-analysis based on 5160 original studies comprising 41,946 comparisons between diversified and simplified practices. Overall, diversification enhances biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without compromising crop yields. Practices targeting aboveground biodiversity boosted pest control and water regulation, while those targeting belowground biodiversity enhanced nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation. Most often, diversification practices resulted in win-win support of services and crop yields. Variability in responses and occurrence of trade-offs highlight the context dependency of outcomes. Widespread adoption of diversification practices shows promise to contribute to biodiversity conservation and food security from local to global scales.