A case for integrating indigenous biodiversity into on-farm planning

A considerable proportion of remaining indigenous biodiversity occurs on farmland in private ownership outside of the public conservation estate. This is particularly true of lowland settings. An opportunity exists to link indigenous biodiversity outcomes on private land with the need to reduce farming’s environmental footprint and improving farm resilience to major climatic events. This paper explores the (i) current status of indigenous biodiversity on-farm, (ii) integration of indigenous biodiversity into farm planning and (iii) highlights through cases the importance of developing our understanding of the relationship between the condition and function of indigenous biodiversity and its contribution to economic, environmental, cultural and social outcomes on and beyond the farm, of which conservation is just one, albeit an important outcome.