1. Threatened forest: sustainable management by forestry and agriculture as a solution for conservation and protection.
The forest is an important component of our environment and our society. It produces oxygen, serves as a habitat for numerous animal and plant species and stores carbon. But forests are under threat, whether from climate change, forest fires or exploitation by forestry and agriculture. Reforestation can help protect and rebuild forests. Forestry and agriculture play an important role in this. Through sustainable management, they can protect the forest and at the same time use it economically. But it is important to find a balance between protection and use in order to preserve the forest in the long term. In this context, environmental protection is also becoming increasingly important. How can the forest be preserved and protected? What role do afforestation, forestry and agriculture play in this? And how can sustainable use of the forest and its resources be ensured?
Did you know?
.svg)
According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the share of organically farmed land in agricultural land increased from 2.9% to 9.7% between 1999 and 2021. The German government has set a goal of increasing the share of organic farming in agricultural land to 30% by 2030.
2. The importance of biodiversity for fertility and its threat from intensive agriculture.
The biodiversity of the soil, which is formed by microorganisms and microorganisms, among other things, is crucial for fertility. These organisms produce humus, which binds nutrients and water and distributes them in the soil. They also loosen the soil, creating a pore structure that ensures good aeration. This is crucial for the oxygen supply of animals and plants in the soil. However, today's intensive agriculture interferes with this natural system and leads to negative soil pollution. In Germany in particular, these pressures can be observed.
https://ourworldindata.org/
2.1 The impact of excessive agro-chemicalization on soil biodiversity and the environment
Through the use of agricultural chemicals, such as mineral fertilizers and pesticides, modern agriculture has been able to achieve high yields in crop cultivation and animal farming. However, this excessive agro-chemical use also has a considerable impact on the natural factors of production. In particular, soil biodiversity suffers from the use of these chemicals, which in turn leads to a depletion of natural nutrients in the soil. In addition, the pollution of fertilizers and pesticides in ground and surface waters is increasing.
2.2 Soil erosion - a global threat to agricultural land
Soil erosion refers to the removal of soil material by wind or water and is currently considered the greatest threat to agricultural land worldwide. The extent of soil erosion is influenced by various factors, such as soil type and location of the agricultural land, farmers' management techniques, and natural forces such as rainfall and wind. The natural structure of the soil is determined by the organisms working in it. An intact soil is crumbly, well aerated and has a sponge-like structure that protects it from erosion by wind and water. However, this protective soil structure is destroyed by improper agricultural management.
Over the past 50 years, soil erosion has increased significantly due to various factors. On the one hand, soils are subjected to ever-increasing mechanical stress due to ever-larger and heavier agricultural machinery. On the other hand, turning tillage such as plowing causes the soil to lose its natural stability, and the lack of wind- and water-breaking structures such as hedges is almost non-existent at the borders of the fields. The constant cultivation of row crops is also harmful to the soil. All these measures of modern agriculture contribute to the loss of fertile soil through erosion.
2.3 Harmful ground compaction due to modern farming
Ground compaction describes a mechanical change in the soil structure in which the porosity of the soil is reduced and the solid content per volume is increased. Modern agriculture, especially heavy agricultural machinery, contributes to this phenomenon. When wet, soil compaction increases due to reduced pores and the effect of water as a lubricant. A certain amount of compaction is fine, but when it affects the production, regulation and habitat function of the soil, it is called harmful compaction.
3. A sustainable agriculture: protection and conservation of the soil
Sustainable agriculture is crucial to protect and preserve the soil in the long term. Years of intensive agricultural use, such as the use of pesticides and fertilisers, can cause the soil to lose fertility and even be permanently damaged by erosion and removal. It is therefore important that farmers use methods that promote soil health while ensuring high productivity and quality of their produce. In this context, there are many sustainable methods of farming that aim to protect the soil and thus also our natural resources.
https://ourworldindata.org/
3.1 Sustainable agriculture: The use of organic fertilizer as an alternative to mineral fertilizer
A sustainable alternative to the pure use of mineral fertilizer is the use of organic fertilizer, which can be obtained from various sources. Organic fertilization promotes the living conditions of the soil flora and fauna and leads to a higher humus content of the soil, which is beneficial to soil fertility. The input of organic material not only serves to feed the plants, but also to nourish the soil organisms, which promotes the bioactivity of the soil. A well-structured humus body additionally prevents the fertilizer from washing away or seeping away and thus reduces the pollution of surface and groundwater.
3.2 Natural pest control without pesticides: opportunities and benefits for sustainable agriculture
A healthy soil with high biodiversity is crucial for sustainable crop protection. This increases the plants' resistance to pests and has a disease-inhibiting effect, reducing the need for plant protection products. Pests can be controlled by beneficial organisms and suitable natural substances, without additional substance input into the soil. The natural soil flora and fauna as well as the fertility and nutrient cycle of the soil are thus preserved.
3.3 Effective methods to prevent soil erosion
In order to prevent or at least minimize soil erosion, there are various measures that can be taken. One strategy is to protect the soil with surrounding vegetation. Here, plants such as trees and bushes can help to fix the soil with the help of their roots and thus reduce the erosion of soil by wind and water. In agriculture, organizational measures can also be taken to protect the soil from erosion. For example, fallow periods can be scheduled to give the soil time to recover. If possible, the plants that grow on the soil during the fallow period should not be utilized or only minimally utilized in order to ensure a new input of organic matter into the soil. This promotes biodiversity and helps to regenerate the nutrients removed from the soil. Protective soil cover such as mulch, straw or catch crops can also help to increase soil stability and reduce erosion by water and wind.
4. Forest use in Germany and rainforest in Peru: challenges for the protection of forest areas and biodiversity.
Forests cover about one third of the earth's land area and are of enormous importance for climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity. In Germany, the forest area has increased in recent decades, while the rainforest in Peru and other countries is threatened by deforestation and agriculture. Forest use and protection pose a complex challenge, as ecological, social and economic aspects have to be taken into account. In this context, it is important to develop and apply sustainable methods of agriculture in order to protect the soil and the forests. In the following, we will show the differences between forest use in Germany and the rainforest in Peru.
https://ourworldindata.org/
4.1 Forest Area in Germany: Significance, Status and Prospects
In Germany, about 10.7 million hectares, which corresponds to 30.8% of the land area, are forested. In recent decades there has been an increase in forests as more and more grassland is afforested and numerous afforestations are carried out as ecological compensation measures. Although one third of the natural potential vegetation consists of deciduous trees, only about one third of the forest area in Germany is covered by deciduous trees. Forests are important ecological compensation areas in the densely populated cultural landscape and serve as refuges for many species. In addition, the forest is important as an economic factor, especially as a supplier of wood. For decades, the wood reserves in German forests have been increasing. The usable wood potential could be increased by almost 50% without reducing the wood supply, as currently only about 37.2 million m³ are used annually.
4.2 The Peru Rainforest: Threatened Diversity and Important Climate Factor
Peru is home to some of the largest and most biodiverse rainforests in the world, including the Amazon rainforest in the east of the country. The Peruvian rainforest is an important habitat for an incredible diversity of animal and plant species, including many endemic and threatened species. The rainforest is also of enormous importance to the people of Peru and the indigenous communities that have lived in and around the rainforest for centuries.The rainforest is also an important factor in the Earth's climate system. It is a significant carbon sink and plays an important role in regulating the global climate. Unfortunately, however, the Peruvian rainforest also faces massive threats from deforestation, mining, agriculture and illegal logging. However, the government of Peru and various NGOs are working to minimize these threats and protect the rainforest to preserve its importance for biodiversity and the climate.
5. Sustainable forestry and agriculture: the balancing act between economy, environment and social issues
Overall, it can be said that forestry and agriculture fulfil important economic, social and ecological functions. While agriculture mainly produces food and thus contributes to food security, forestry provides wood and is an important component of the bioeconomy. However, both sectors can also have negative impacts on the environment, for example when intensive agriculture and overuse of forests lead to soil erosion, water scarcity and loss of biodiversity. Sustainable management of land and forests is therefore essential to meet people's needs while protecting the environment. In this context, the promotion of ecological agriculture and forestry as well as the implementation of sustainable management practices play an important role. It remains a challenge to master the balancing act between economic, social and ecological goals in forestry and agriculture and thus to meet the needs of today's generations without limiting the opportunities of future generations.