Module 3: Climate Adaptive Strategies
6. Preserve Natural Systems
Preservation of ecosystem services can benefit the landscape through carbon sequestration, increased wildlife abundance, better water quality, and supported pollinator species. These services improve overall environmental health, can benefit livestock and crop production, and improve environmental resources for people too. Also called agroecological approaches, these practices promote positive interactions between humans, plants, animals, and the environment through ecological principles. Both farmers and rural landowners can participate in agroecology practices to increase carbon sequestration and lessen emissions contributing to climate change.
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Preserve the surrounding landscape with buffer strips and diverse edge vegetation
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Utilize agroforestry for livestock, crop, and ecosystem benefits
Preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats especially for pollinators
IPM Key Points
Preserve the Surrounding Landscape
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Promote species diversity by supporting diverse vegetation types and ecosystems
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Implement and protect riparian buffers or grass filter strips
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Enhance landscape connectivity for wildlife movement
Utilize Agroforestry
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Plant trees to enhance ecosystem services, such as storing carbon
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Incorporate trees in riparian buffers
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Utilize alley cropping, which incorporates both field crops and trees in the same field
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Consider silvopasture practices (the combination of trees and pastureland), for livestock enterprises
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Incorporate high-value crops in forest farming, such as with fungi
Preserve Biodiversity
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Protect and promote habitats for vulnerable species
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Create habitats for pollinator species and beneficial organisms for integrated pest management