Multi-functional roles of grassland in organic farming systems

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference. Grassland supports commodity production and maintenance of soil fertility, as well as environmental, economic and social functions beyond the farm. These include biodiversity and landscape; soil, air and water quality; recreation, rural employment and social benefits. This paper discusses whether organic grassland management delivers benefits, compared with other farming systems, within this multifunctional context, and how future land-use systems might meet a wider range of objectives