The Ecological Infrastructure of the Agro-ecosystem as Element of Biodiversity of the Rural Landscape

In this study we examined a specific rural area in the Province of Siena-Tuscany-Italy, where different cropping systems are recognizable. We analyzed organic and conventional farms, with different prevalent crops (cereal, forage and wine). The landscape mosaic around each considered farm and the ecological infrastructures, especially in relation to connectivity, diversity and fragmentation of the landscape were analyzed At farm level we monitored and analyzed, the ecological infrastructures and their herbaceous and arborous diversity to find a relationship with the different farm managements and crop systems. Through the calculation of specific indicators of biodiversity, both at landscape and at farm level, and depending on the different farm management and farming systems we were able to identifi, crucial points to be solved in the landscape mosaic and to underline the potential positive aspects.