Up to 20 units of outdoor farmland per unit of vertical farming could return to its natural state, due to vertical farming’s increased productivity.[56][57] Vertical farming would reduce the amount of farmland, thus saving many natural resources.[33]

Deforestation and desertification caused by agricultural encroachment on natural biomes could be avoided.[58] Producing food indoors reduces or eliminates conventional plowing, planting, and harvesting by farm machinery, protecting soil, and reducing emissions.[46]

Traditional farming is often invasive to the native flora and fauna because it requires such a large area of arable land. One study showed that wood mouse populations dropped from 25 per hectare to 5 per hectare after harvest, estimating 10 animals killed per hectare each year with conventional farming.[59] In comparison, vertical farming would cause nominal harm to wildlife because of its limited space usage.[13]