The main goal is to develop ideas on how to promote biodiversity that are easy to communicate and integrated in a politically defined incentive structure, in order to be able to take full effect.

Besides the participatory approach which aims at including both, organic and conventional agriculture, is the focus on the diversity of cultivated crops and organic seeds (see BOX).

Varieties appropriate for organic production: Varieties within the meaning of the law (EG) No. 2100/94 Article 5 Paragraph 2, that a) are characterized by a high degree of genetic and phenotypic diversity of each of the propagation units; and b) origin from organic breeding according to appendix II part I
no. 1.8.4 of this regulation.

Usually, maximum and average yields of organic crops are below the respective values of conventional crops. However, organic crops could be able to buffer these yield gaps over a longer period of time due to a lower susceptibility for pest infestations and droughts. Thereby, they would reduce the risks of yield loss, which is of increasing importance for farmers due to ongoing climate change.

Regarding the accompanying biological diversity this results in:

• Agricultural crops with a high morphological variability often grow less dense under certain management, which can lead to reduced competition with accompanying wild herbs on the fields. This should have a positive impact on biodiversity of cultural landscapes.
• The long-term transition to organic seeds and varieties (e.g. no disinfecting) would have an even higher positive impact on accompanying wild herbs and biodiversity.
• Thus, the whole transition process (towards organic agriculture) would influence the broader landscapes in a sustainable way.