Agroecology-TRANSECT Virtual Roadshow: Roots of Resilience – Enhancing Biodiversity through Agroecology

Hear from a range of expert speakers, including Elizabeth Finch (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research), Cian Blaix (INRAE/Agroscope) and Adrien Swartebroeckx (Walloon Agricultural Research Centre), alongside leaders from our innovation projects in Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Hungary. 

The webinar will cover:

· How has EU Agriculture Policy affected biodiversity so far? And by implication, what does it need to do better?

· 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.

· The Multi Criteria Analysis tool (MCA) – particularly looking at how it can analyse Biodiversity Indicators.

· Updates from Innovation Hubs:

o    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.

o    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.

o    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.

This free online event brings together science, practical insights, and lived experiences to highlight how biodiversity underpins sustainable farming.