The following is my premise on a method for establishing biodiversity-friendly orchards with reduced economic risk.

In recent years, I have observed a troubling trend in the fertile agricultural lands of Cilicia* where owners of many orchards have ordered the removal of established trees to be replaced by other trendy varieties in response to the fluctuating market demands. This practice of demolishing and replanting orchards based on economic impulse not only creates significant stress on the farmers but also proves to be economically unfeasible in the long term, where one finds himself in the negative balances while constantly trying to keep pace with the mostly irrational market trends, some of them which had brought down the price of previously successful produce to nearly zero for years**.

Imagine a traditional orchard, where one plants the same tree species—such as tangerine trees—uniformly across a 180,000 m² of agricultural land parcel in a 6×6 grid format to foster maximum growth and permit maintenance practice between the trees. This setup, while convenient, is an artificial scenario rarely, if not, never found in nature. In natural parks, jungles, and forests, we observe a diverse mix of smaller and larger trees based on their ages, with the older and more massive trees serving as wind barriers that protect the younger ones from potential damage. The diversity in age and species of trees found in nature provides a wide array of nutrition options which attract wild animals, insects, and other microorganisms. This natural biodiversity with its symbiotic foundational principles enriches the soil through their various life activities, fostering a healthier and more organic soil, which is alive with activity. In stark contrast, consider the degraded agricultural soil constantly treated with pesticides and nursed with liquid chemical fertilizers, where farmers prioritize short-term gains on fruit yields over long term gains of soil properties and individual tree health. This approach undermines the long-term well-being of the ecosystem and soil vitality.

The critical question we should consider is: How can we systematically design our agricultural landscapes to replicate the natural processes outlined above, thereby attracting natural and sustainable biodiversity? An approach that would contribute to the long-term health and fertility of our soil, diminishing our reliance on chemical fertilizers and, to some degree, pesticides. By fostering a diverse ecosystem mimicking that of the natural settings of mother nature herself, we can attract a range of beneficial insects instead of overwhelming swarms of uniform pests that result from planting the same foreign tree species repeatedly in close proximity. Thus, the newly established diversity first in tree species and then in insects and wild animals could enhance ecological resilience and promote a healthier environment and soil in the long run.₁

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