… CC Vision Farming is key when it comes to conserving and protecting our natural resources. Ecofriendly farming helps to mitigate and avoid ecological damage. To do … from a number of standpoints, it also helps to preserve agro-ecosystems. The land that we cultivate and develop constitutes one of the main features of rural … policy directives into German laws governing matters such as fertilizer use, pest control, nature conservation and water conservation. However, Germany’s …

… Tilling A tractor plowing up grassland Source: Otto Durst / Fotolia Tilling prepares fields for crop plant seeding, … effects such as soil erosion and compaction. last update on 17.02.2014 Introduction Using machinery to till cropland optimizes crop growth conditions and soil … intensive crop cultivation practices, as well as technical advances, entail the use of highly specialized, powerful and heavy machinery, equipment and transport …

… to biodiversity Wildflowers Source: E. Schittenhelm/ Fotolia.com Agricultural landscapes are habitats for many wild animal and plant species. Fields, meadows, … last update on 24.09.2015 Introduction More than half of Germany's land area is used for agriculture. As a habitat for a wide variety of animals, plants, fungi, and …

… Smith / Fotolia Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living organisms. The use of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilizers to increase yields is therefore … and needs-based application is crucial. Excess nitrogen can pollute water and land ecosystems and adversely affect the climate, air quality, and biodiversity. … Member States must evaluate the status of their surface waters and groundwater resources every four years and submit a nitrate report to the EU Commission. In …

… of objects and can therefore delay the onset of a fire. Some of the commonly used flame retardants, however, can be toxic to the environment and human health. … match with the special type of product, its material composition and its designated use. Products, in which flame retardants are applied, are for example the casings of …

… Pharmaceuticals Antibiotics are used on a large scale in industrialised farming. Source: Gina Sanders / Fotolia.com … or metabolized. These active pharmaceutical ingredients can end up on agricultural land through the application of farm manure or grazing. Studies show that residues …

… methods. The high humus content of rezoned mires, fens and cultivated grassland after fertilizer is spread on them results in a particularly high level of … than half of all methane emissions are currently attributable to farming. The most efficient way to reduce methane emissions is to alter human nutritional practices … Expert Workshop Monitoring the consequences of local climate change on the natural resources of the ice-free regions of Maxwell Bay (King George Island, Antarctic) …

… most livestock farming ammonia emissions are attributable to fertilizer storage and use. Ammonia emissions are released into the atmosphere, where they can react with … and eutrophication of natural and quasi-natural ecosystems (e.g. fens, mires, heathland and waterbodies) can bring about changes in biodiversity. Ammonia emissions can … Waste-air cleaning systems, which reduce pigsty and cattle barn emissions, are used by more than 1,000 German farms (mainly pig farms). Waste air cleaning systems …

… Compost and sewage sludge Wheel loader being used to turn compost Source: Tim Hermann / UBA Compost and sewage sludge contain … and waste is to be viewed positively in light of the finite nature of this resource. However, since sewage sludge contains not only valuable components but … enter the surface water and groundwater through runoff or seepage from agricultural land. There are no estimates in Germany of the quantities of pollutants and heavy …

… impact If handled improperly, the storage and application of fertilizers can cause a whole range of serious environmental damage. The production of synthetic fertilizers is also very energy-intensive, which is associated with high resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen and phosphorus in … the last ten years, approximately 167 tons of uranium have been applied to arable land annually with phosphate fertilizers, which could lead to high drinking water …

… Pesticides Pesticides are widely used Source: oticki / Fotolia.com Pesticides are used extensively in agriculture. … drift of spray agents or contaminated seed dust, and later through runoff from farmland. The intensive use of highly effective broad-spectrum herbicides and …

… stefanthiermayer / Fotolia.com Germany’s farming sector uses the largest amount of land, but is at the same a lynchpin of our economy – one that provides a reliable … persons. This evolution was attributable to (a) the development and use of highly efficient machinery, precision technologies and fertilizers and pesticides; and (b) … Methane, the underestimated greenhouse gas Flyer: Digitalisation and natural resources Tags agricultural landscape agriculture biodiversity environmental impact …