Comparison of biodiversity with Shannon and Simpson indices in conventional rice (Oryza sativa L.) and organic rice-duck farming

Over the last quarter of the 20th century, dramatic declines in both rangeand abundance of many species associated with farmland (Liu et al., 2011).The use of chemical pesticides used in agriculture in addition water pollutionresources reduce biodiversity (including insects, plants, fungi, bacteria andanimals) and can cause illness in humans (Bi et al., 2009). Farming systemssuch as organic farming are now seen by many as a potential solution tothis continued loss of biodiversity (Hole et al., 2005). For example, rice-duck(organic farming) mutualism is one form of ecological engineering which makesuse of the symbiotic relationship between rice and ducks to more effectivelyutilize materials, reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide inputs, increaseproduct safety and overall productivity and decrease the pollutants dischargedfrom rice-fields (Xi and Qin., 2009).