AGROECOLOGY lab

The intensification of agriculture has led to a significant increase in soil tillage and in pesticide and synthetic fertilizers use. This shift has had detrimental effects on agroecosystems and their capacity to provide essential ecosystem services. To counter these negative impacts, functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) is a key concept, referring to the diversity of organisms within agroecosystems that contribute to vital ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, pest regulation, and soil fertility. By maintaining a rich array of functional organisms, agricultural systems can enhance resilience, sustainability, and productivity.

 

I am currently working on the FAB4Farming project (Functional Agrobiodiversity for Farming), a collaboration between the Agroecology Lab (ULB) and the Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Landscapes Unit (Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech). This project aims to better understand how agricultural practices influence FAB.

 

To achieve this, we focus on a diverse range of organisms, including soil microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), earthworms, carabids, slugs, pollinators, and aphids. These organisms are sampled from 40 winter cereal fields across Wallonia, Belgium, each following different agricultural practices. This variation allows us to assess their impact—particularly pesticide use and soil tillage—on functional agrobiodiversity. My research specifically focuses on soil microorganisms, AMF, and earthworms.

​

By (i) identifying the practices that benefit FAB and (ii) providing actionable recommendations for farmers, researchers, and policymakers, we aim to support the development of more ecologically sustainable farming methods that enhance resilience and help secure food production in the face of environmental challenges.

​

​

​