Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

169 Chapter 7: Nature Figure 7.11  Value of landscape and land-use diversity for high biodiversity and healthy ecosystem functioning and resilience Homogenous agricultural landscape • Low biodiversity -> biological pest control missing, pollination deficit • Heavy dependence on agrochemicals • Susceptibility to erosion and nutrient leaching -> increased pollution of groundwater and water bodies • Lower soil biodiversity -> poorer soil health • Less carbon stored and sequestered • Larger vulnerability to extreme weather events • Unsustainable in long term Agricultural landscape with diverse landscape elements • Higher biodiversity -> possibility to count on biological pest control, improved pollination • Decreased dependence on agrochemicals • Resistance to erosion, decreased nutrient leaching • Higher soil biodiversity -> improved soil health • More carbon stored and sequestered • Increased resistance to extreme weather events • Sustainable also in long term Source: Adapted from Aveliina Helm @aveliinahelm The declines in populations and species diversity of bees, butterflies and other insects, birds and plants are largely the result of monoculture and the drive to achieve ever-increasing levels of productivity (DCHG, 2019). This drive for productivity has been characterised by the loss, removal or neglect of hedgerows, stone walls, rough grass areas, ponds, wetlands and scrub, while practices such as land drainage and fertiliser and pesticide application, although local in extent, reduce space for nature (DCHG, 2019). Similarly, the fragmentation and loss of habitats reduces the space and connectivity needed for viable and sustainable species populations (Guilfoyle et al. 2023) and therefore overall survival (e.g. fragmented forest and woodland habitat in Ireland; Figure 7.12).