Abstract
The web-based platform "EBIO-Network" (European Biodiversity Orchards Network), created within the framework of the CoreOrganic plus project EcoOrchard, will provide an interactive communication tool between stakeholders in European organic fruit production at different levels (practice, science, advisory etc.). The website will offer the opportunity to share, extract and use stakeholder knowledge in Europe in a participatory approach. As an outcome of this ongoing exchange, the aim is to provide technical information how to create, keep and assess functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) in apple production. Introduction Organic crop production is particularly dependent on the existence of functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) in the agroecosystem. Elements of FAB (e.g. hedges, floral strips, stone pills, permanent soil cover) benefit essential ecosystem services like biological control of pests and pathogens, soil conservation or pollination. Fruit orchards are very suitable cropping systems to implement sustainable FAB techniques due to their perennial nature. Organic production allows a low-input management system where important FAB-elements like beneficial arthropods are less affected by negative side effects of plant protection products. Farmers are in the position to influence the maintenance of FAB in their orchards by suitable management techniques. Science, research and advisory services try to develop guidelines and recommendations on how to manage FAB. On the other hand, the farmers evaluate techniques for their feasibility and value under real practical conditions. We consider that the biodiversity impact shall be visible to improve farmers' commitment. A key element for any future progress is easy communication between stakeholders that will allow sharing practical knowledge and to learn from each other. For this purpose, the internet-platform EBIO-Network has been created under the umbrella of the Core-Organic Plus project EcoOrchard. The aim of this platform is to provide an easy applicable tool for communication between all the different levels of stakeholders and to allow quick exchange of ideas and experiences.