In August 2024, the Nature Restoration Law, one of the EU’s key biodiversity initiatives, will come into force, aiming to restore degraded ecosystems and habitats in all EU member states. The Law covers the long-term goals of restoring ecosystems and habitats, protecting and conserving species, which is part of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy aims to restore degraded ecosystems, ensure the sustainable management of natural resources and conserve endangered species. An important aspect of the Strategy is the integration of biodiversity protection into all sectors of the economy, including the agricultural. The main objectives include the introduction of agroecological (regenerative) agricultural practices, the development of organic farming, the restoration of degraded soils, and reduction of the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Thus, the Strategy envisages increasing the share of organic farming to 25% of the total area, restoring 25% of degraded land and reducing the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030.
As part of the European environmental legislation, the EU supports Ukraine in implementing programmes to restore biodiversity and improve the ecological condition of agricultural land. Given Ukraine’s course toward European integration, national legislation must align with European environmental standards, so it is making it crucial to consider European environmental policy today.
Biodiversity (biological diversity) is generally considered at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, reflecting the systematic, multilevel and complexity of the diversity of all life forms on Earth. It is the state of biodiversity that determines the sustainability of ecosystems, their resource capacity, ecosystem services and environmental safety in general.
Industrial development and production growth, and excessive exploitation of natural resources lead to the anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems, their degradation, the destruction of natural landscapes, loss of habitats and, as a result, the disappearance of populations and the complete extinction of certain species. The loss of biodiversity is reaching alarming proportions, which may disrupt ecosystem balance and ecosystem integrity at the national and global levels. The issue of biodiversity loss has moved beyond purely scientific concerns. The risks associated with biodiversity loss are in the focus of attention of both Ukrainian and European scientists, researchers, politicians and world leaders. Today, the efficient use of natural resources and their reproduction is a prerequisite not only for environmental protection purposes, but also for economic growth, with the agricultural sector being one of the key pillars.
Unsustainable agriculture is one of the causes of biodiversity loss. Monoculture farming, excessive use of pesticides and herbicides, soil contamination with agrochemicals, erosion processes due to the use of agricultural machinery, etc. All contribute to environmental pollution with hazardous substances, destruction of natural habitats, their fragmentation and loss of biodiversity.
More than 80% of habitats in European countries are in poor condition. Over the past 30 years, 50-70% of the steppe area in Europe has been destroyed. In Ukraine, virgin steppe remains only in protected areas and accounts for just 1% of the total area of Ukraine, while the area of natural meadows has decreased by 40% in recent decades. One of the reasons for the loss and degradation of habitats at the national level is the high rate of ploughing, which averages 54% (reaching 70% in some regions), while the average in European countries is 30-35%.
Species diversity is suffering irreparable losses. For example, every third species of bee and butterfly in Europe is experiencing a population decline. For example, in Ukraine, the bee population has declined by 20% in the last decade alone. As 75% of crops are depend
on pollinators, this trend will not only lead to a significant decrease in yields, deterioration in food quality, and higher agricultural production costs, but also threatens food security. The loss of species richness is also due to a reduction in the diversity of crops and their wild relatives. It is believed that out of more than 6,000 species for crop production, only 9 species account for 66% of global crop production. This impoverishment of crop diversity leads to the loss of species and genetic diversity, and inevitably leads to the oblivion of traditional agricultural practices.
He condition of the soil is also a major concern more than 70% of agricultural soils in Europe are in poor condition. It is well known that the state of soil biota directly impacts on crop yields. For the soil ecosystem to function properly, a balance is required between the species diversity of microorganisms, meso-, macro- and megafauna, including nematodes, earthworms, arthropods and small vertebrates. Edaphobionts are involved in important soil-forming processes, such as
decomposition of plant residues, mineralisation, humification, nitrogen fixation and nutrient transformation, contribute to the formation of clods and soil mixing, and are natural enemies of phytopathogens and pests.
Ukraine has developed a number of laws, regulations and strategies aimed at conserving biodiversity, protecting and restoring habitats, and preserving species diversity. The Laws of Ukraine “On Environmental Protection”, “On the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine”, ”On Flora”, “On Fauna” are the main regulatory documents that establish the legal, economic and social framework for ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. The main strategic policy directions and measures for biodiversity conservation in Ukraine are defined in the National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy of Ukraine, which emphasizes the integration of environmental issues into various sectors, including consideration of biodiversity conservation in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and other sectors.
It is the best time for Ukrainian farmers to think about using modern international sustainable farming practices to preserve natural resources and their own well-being. I.P.Cert has implemented the Living Cropland Initiative program, which aims to work with agricultural businesses to implement innovative regenerative approaches and practices in agriculture, including carbon emission reduction, soil fertility and biodiversity restoration programs. The initiative is designed to meet the highest international standards and complies with the Core Carbon Principles, which will allow Ukrainian farmers to participate in the global voluntary carbon market, Scope 3 programs and become leading suppliers of low-carbon agricultural products to EU markets.
