These challenges have forced many people to question the sustainability of our current production systems. There is increasing interest in new approaches that harness the free services provided by ecosystems delivering profitable production, while maintaining the natural capital on which all agriculture is based. Meeting these challenges requires an understanding of the services that ecosystems provide and a sound knowledge of the principles and management practices available to land managers that integrate these with production.
Agriculture is dependent on the services provided by natural ecosystems, such as soil, atmospheric gases and water. The provision and maintenance of these services is regulated by living organisms, or biodiversity. Throughout Australia, many innovative farmers, researchers and conservationists are finding ways to conserve and improve biodiversity, while at the same time maintaining or increasing farm profits. This site is designed to promote ways that biodiversity and agriculture can be better integrated using recent science and case studies. The site also looks at ways to increase the resilience of farming systems and landscapes in the face of climate change.
The Border Rivers-Gwydir, Namoi and Western CMAs, in partnership with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Greening Australia, have started a process that builds on the existing capacity of our farmers, innovators and community leaders to find new approaches to the challenges facing land managers and farm businesses. This website is part of a move to create on-going information networks so farmers, advisors, agency staff and researchers can continue to share their knowledge and experiences and learn from each other.
The main feature of the site is a literature review conducted by Cathy Waters and Ron Hacker of NSW DPI. The literature review looks at the science that is available to demonstrate the link between healthy natural systems and profitable agriculture.
The website also provides links to many other websites, documents and organisations that provide information for land managers on maintaining their natural resource base. Throughout the site, there are opportunities for discussion with other people interested in this topic (forums) as well as places where you can add your own information, links or stories. Use the feedback link on this page to suggest material to be added to the site.