Event
Agroecology-TRANSECT Virtual Roadshow
Roots of Resilience – Enhancing Biodiversity through Agroecology
This is the second in a series of four virtual roadshows, designed to take the findings of Agroecology-TRANSECT and disseminate broadly what they mean in practice.
This webinar will presents findings from partners and innovation hubs across Europe through presentations and visual storytelling, highlighting how biodiversity underpins resilient agroecological systems.
Topics covered:
- How has EU Agriculture Policy affected biodiversity so far?
And by implication, what does it need to do better? Elizabeth Finch, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research - What does the research tell us about the impact of agroecological farming practices on biodiversity?
Surfacing the interesting findings from over 170 studies looking at how adopting agroecology results in an increase in biodiversity and climate change mitigation, compared to conventional interventions. Cian Blaix, INRAE/Agroscope - Updates from Innovation Hubs:
i. Results-based incentives for farmers in the Western Stara Planina in Bulgaria. We hear from the Bulgarian innovation hub about their work developing and testing result-based agri-environment payment schemes (RBAPS), and how these have encouraged farmers to adopt agroecological practices that support biodiversity.
ii. How does functional biodiversity intersect with conservation biodiversity? The innovation hub team in Switzerland reports on how their multi-species seed mixes support farming and ecosystems in diverse permanent pastures. This focus on ‘functional biodiversity’ aligns with broader ‘conservation biodiversity’ goals, helping to protect species and habitats for a more resilient future for both nature and agriculture.
iii. Conservation biodiversity in perennial systems. The Hungarian innovation hub updates us on their trials with different mixes of species-rich seeds (grass-herb and legume) to determine which provide the best overall climate-proof perennial cover crop in the vine inter-rows. Their particular focus is on the best solutions for weed control, soil conservation and biodiversity development.
The speakers:
- Elizabeth Finch, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research
- Cian Blaix, INRAE/Agroscope
- Adrien Swartebroeckx, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre
- Leaders of our Innovation Hub projects in Bulgaria, Switzerland and Hungary.
FREE and open to all
Groundswell 2025
2nd July 2025 – 3rd July 2025
The Groundswell event provides a forum for farmers and anyone interested in food production or the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of Conservation Agriculture or regenerative systems, including no-till, cover crops and re-introducing livestock into the arable rotation, with a view to improving soil health