🌱 Biodiversity in Agriculture (Agrobiodiversity)
Biodiversity (or agrobiodiversity, when referring to agriculture) is the variety of life in all its forms: genetic diversity within species, diversity between species (animals and plants), and the diversity of ecosystems.
In agriculture, protecting biodiversity means:
- Preserve the genetic richness of cultivated and wild species present in the area (for example, native breeds and local plant varieties).
- Maintain the balance of agricultural ecosystems , which become more resilient to disturbances, diseases and climate change.
- Ensure ecosystem services , such as pollination, soil fertility and water regulation, which are essential for food production.
Its loss, on the contrary, leads to the simplification of environments and organisms, making agriculture more vulnerable and less sustainable.
🌿 Permanent Multi-Plant Meadow: A Treasure of Biodiversity
The permanent polyphyte meadow is a type of pasture or mown meadow that:
- Stable: it is not ploughed or reseeded regularly (it remains unchanged even for tens or hundreds of years), undergoing only mowing and organic fertilization.
- Polyphyte: it is composed of a multiplicity of herbaceous species (grasses, legumes, wild herbs) – even over 70 different varieties in some areas – that grow spontaneously and in balance.
This type of meadow is a true ecosystem with high biodiversity , for plants, insects, microorganisms, and wildlife. The deep roots of the various species protect the soil from erosion, improve water retention, and promote carbon storage.
🧀 Correlation with Parmigiano Reggiano
The relationship between the permanent polyphyte meadow and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP is fundamental and established by the production specifications:
- Exclusive Feeding: Permanent mixed pastures are the main source of forage (fresh grass and hay) for dairy cows in the area of ​​origin. The Parmigiano Reggiano specification requires that the animals' feed be based on local forage and absolutely free of silage (fermented forage).
- Milk Quality and Aroma: The botanical diversity of the mixed meadow guarantees a particularly rich and balanced forage containing nutrients, vitamins, and, above all, aromatic essences . These essences pass into the milk, giving Parmigiano Reggiano its unique, complex, and distinctive aromatic profile , inextricably linked to the production area.
- Lactic Flora: Haymaking (harvesting and drying the forage) allows the grass to come into contact with the unplowed soil, which is rich in native lactic flora specific to that area. These natural microorganisms are crucial for the proper and typical maturation of Parmigiano Reggiano, which, remember, is produced without the use of additives or preservatives.
- Sustainability and Territory: The permanent multi-plant meadow is not just food, but a key element of the area's historic landscape , contributing to environmental sustainability (carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection) and strengthening the cheese's inextricable bond with its terroir, a value increasingly sought after by consumers.
In short, the biodiversity of the permanent polyphyte meadow translates directly into the quality, organoleptic uniqueness, and territorial uniqueness of Parmigiano Reggiano.
