ABSTRACT
This chapter will discuss the negative effects of monoculture farming, as well as the concerns linked with pesticide residues, heavy metals and nitrate contamination. Potential solutions for technologically advanced and highly productive cropping systems will be discussed. Improved crop management, e.g. reduced tillage, organic farming, use of biostimulants will also be examined as part of the bioeconomy and as a good solution for environmental protection. The bioeconomy should be a step towards a circular economy but is not equivalent to sustainability. Examples of bioeconomy technologies/solutions and their relationship to environmental/ecological risks will be presented. The chapter will discuss how ecological hazards (e.g. loss of biodiversity) and environmental effects (e.g. pollution, and decline of soil organic matter) should be taken into account when evaluating the bioeconomy.
