Summary
This second-order meta-analysis synthesised 98 meta-analyses and 5,160 original studies to assess how diversification practices in cropping systems affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. The findings demonstrate that agricultural diversification consistently enhances multiple ecosystem services—including pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation—whilst maintaining or improving crop yields. The analysis reveals differential effects: practices targeting aboveground biodiversity primarily benefited pest control and water regulation, whilst those targeting belowground biodiversity enhanced nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation, with most outcomes showing win-win synergies, though context-dependent variability suggests implementation success depends on local conditions.
Regional applicability
These findings have direct relevance to UK farming policy and practice, particularly for meeting agri-environment scheme objectives and supporting the transition towards sustainable intensification. The context-dependent outcomes suggest UK farmers should tailor diversification strategies to local soil, climate, and cropping conditions, and further research on UK-specific cropping systems would strengthen applicability.
Key measures
Biodiversity metrics, pollination services, pest control efficacy, nutrient cycling rates, soil fertility indicators, water regulation capacity, crop yield changes
Outcomes reported
The study measured the impact of diversification practices on above- and belowground biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, water regulation, and crop yields through a second-order meta-analysis. It compared outcomes between diversified and simplified cropping systems across 41,946 original comparisons.
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