Biodiversity Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes: the Importance of the Matrix

Patricia Dias Tavares,Alexandra dos Santos Pires,Mariella Camardelli Uzêda

doi:10.1590/2179-8087.066417

Abstract

ABSTRACT Agricultural matrices can lead to landscape homogenization, culminating in losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Agricultural management is determinant for developing conservation strategies. In this review, we discuss the influence of the agricultural matrix on biodiversity at different scales. Intensive agriculture under agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizers aggravates forest fragmentation processes, compromising conservation habitats. On the other hand, managed matrixes with greater agricultural biodiversity and reduced synthetic inputs tend to favor species’ persistence. There is discord regarding the best model to conserve biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, but the land sharing system increases the landscape heterogeneity, ensures food production, and constitutes a safer approach from the socioecological perspective. Future studies should consider the matrix identity and management to assess fragmentation effects and its ability to harbor biodiversity.

Highlights

One of the major challenges of the 21st century is producing food combined with minimizing environmental damage
Agricultural matrices can lead to landscape homogenization, culminating in losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services
In Latin America, 90% of forest conversion was for agricultural expansion (FAO, 2016; Hosonuma et al, 2012)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

One of the major challenges of the 21st century is producing food combined with minimizing environmental damage. Large-scale commercial agriculture is identified as the major precursor of land conversion (Hosonuma et al, 2012), soil degradation (FAO, 2011) and loss of biodiversity (Laurance et al, 2014), when compared to small agriculture. Agricultural areas composed of biodiversity systems can provide greater landscape heterogeneity and greater resource availability for maintaining biodiversity over time and space. In this sense, agricultural matrices play a decisive role in consolidating structure and sustainable operation of the landscapes (Forman, 1995; Hanski & Ovaskainen, 2003; Lindenmayer & Franklin, 2002; Ricketts, 2001). The influence of the agricultural matrix on biodiversity at different analysis scales is reviewed: the forest fragments, the edges of the fragments, the matrix itself and the landscape

MATRIX

INFLUENCE ON FOREST REMNANTS

MATRIX FRAGMENT INTERFACE

THE AGRICULTURAL MATRIX IN ITSELF

LANDSCAPE

Findings

CONCLUSIONS