Fertilisers 'reducing diversity' - Wildlife Gardeners

Staff · 05-06-2009, 07:45 PM

Fertilisers 'reducing diversity'
By Mark Kinver
Science and environment reporter, BBC News

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Fertilisers 'reducing diversity'
excerpt from above:

Quote:

Scientists have identified why excessive fertilisation of soils is resulting in a loss of plant diversity.

Extra nutrients allow fast growing plants to dominate a habitat, blocking smaller species' access to vital sunlight, researchers have found.
As a result, many species are disappearing from affected areas.

buteojamaicensi · 05-06-2009, 09:42 PM

Makes sense to me.

I've read similar reports about the abuse of nitrogen. Living in corn country as I do I see the huge tanks of anhydrous ammonia going for fertilizer. It feeds the plant but does nothing for the soil. In fact, it's actually a poison.

Depending on the farming techniques you will find little or no life in the soil in a corn field. Most fields are seriously hurting. Organic farmers have a decent perception of the notion that feeding the soil is the best way to feed the plants. This is utterly foreign to most commercial good old boy types in the corn belt.

Donna in Nebraska

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05-06-2009, 09:42 PM	#2
buteojamaicensi Grub Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nebraska	Makes sense to me. I've read similar reports about the abuse of nitrogen. Living in corn country as I do I see the huge tanks of anhydrous ammonia going for fertilizer. It feeds the plant but does nothing for the soil. In fact, it's actually a poison. Depending on the farming techniques you will find little or no life in the soil in a corn field. Most fields are seriously hurting. Organic farmers have a decent perception of the notion that feeding the soil is the best way to feed the plants. This is utterly foreign to most commercial good old boy types in the corn belt. Donna in Nebraska