Ecology – the science of agriculture in the 21st century

2003 ◽  
Vol 141 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 371-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. WEINER
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Ecological Engineering ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Terms Of Trade ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Applied Ecology ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conflicting Objectives

Most current biological problems in agriculture occur at the higher levels of organization: populations, communities and ecosystems. These are the levels addressed by the science of ecology rather than other biological sciences. Therefore ecology will by necessity become the central science of agriculture. Agricultural production will be seen as a form of applied ecology or ecological engineering. This change in perspective has major implications for agricultural research. It brings the discussion of the assumptions of a research programme into the open and forces researchers to prioritize among potentially conflicting objectives. It sees agricultural strategies in terms of trade-offs, rather than improvements, and it suggests that agricultural research needs to be more bold and ambitious if it is to solve the most important problems facing us in the new century.

Animal decision making and its ecological consequences: the future of aquatic ecology and behaviour

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence M. Dill
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Aquatic Ecology ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
The Future

It is virtually impossible to predict the next 25 years of research in aquatic ecology and behaviour with any accuracy. However, by identifying those areas that are the current frontiers of the discipline it is possible to guess at the most likely research developments over the next decade. From my own biased perspective, the research programme most likely to be productive in the near future is that of behavioural ecology, which studies, among other things, animal decision making in an ecological context. I focus on situations in which animals must make decisions under conflicting objectives, e.g., to simultaneously maximize net energy intake while minimizing risk of predation. New data on guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are presented and the recent literature is reviewed to support the notion that animals in such situations behave so as to maximize fitness. Habitat choices, ontogenetic habitat shifts, and the phenomena of vertical migration and downstream drift are beginning to be considered in this general evolutionary framework, with novel results, and this trend will undoubtedly continue. Extension of the logic of trade-offs to the community level leads to a number of new insights about the processes that shape community structure, and affirms the need for aquatic ecologists of the future to have a thorough understanding of animal behaviour, and a working knowledge of such tools of evolutionary ecology as optimality reasoning and game theory.

Economics of Fertilizer Application to Wheat Crop: The Results of a Survey in Lyallpur District (Notes and Comments)

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-99
Author(s):  
Barkat Ali Quraishi ◽  
Muhammad Jameel Khan
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Reliable Knowledge

Reliable knowledge about the contribution of various factors responsible for increasing agricultural production is indispensable for planning. This holds particularly for the fertilizer use, which has been recognized as one of the quickest and, perhaps, the cheapest means for increasing agricultural produc¬tion. In Pakistan the emphasis on planned development is gaining momentum and for this purpose more data and fuller information on fertilizer response are becoming increasingly essential. The Agricultural Research Stations in the country have been conducting experiments with a view to determining the extent to which the cropped yield may increase due to the application of fertilizer. But such experiments, because of their somewhat controlled nature in respect of certain factors, obviously can¬not tell us with a desired measure of accuracy as to what is actually happening at millions of private farms throughout the country. And, as such, the planning in this regard is apt to be wrong.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Genetic Representations and Initialisation Methods for the Multi-objective Shortest Path Problem on Multigraphs

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilla Beke ◽  
Michal Weiszer ◽  
Jun Chen
Keyword(s):  
Shortest Path ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Exact Algorithm ◽  
Simple Graph ◽  
Shortest Path Problem ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
Problem Instances

AbstractThis paper compares different solution approaches for the multi-objective shortest path problem (MSPP) on multigraphs. Multigraphs as a modelling tool are able to capture different available trade-offs between objectives for a given section of a route. For this reason, they are increasingly popular in modelling transportation problems with multiple conflicting objectives (e.g., travel time and fuel consumption), such as time-dependent vehicle routing, multi-modal transportation planning, energy-efficient driving, and airport operations. The multigraph MSPP is more complex than the NP-hard simple graph MSPP. Therefore, approximate solution methods are often needed to find a good approximation of the true Pareto front in a given time budget. Evolutionary algorithms have been successfully applied for the simple graph MSPP. However, there has been limited investigation of their applications to the multigraph MSPP. Here, we extend the most popular genetic representations to the multigraph case and compare the achieved solution qualities. Two heuristic initialisation methods are also considered to improve the convergence properties of the algorithms. The comparison is based on a diverse set of problem instances, including both bi-objective and triple objective problems. We found that the metaheuristic approach with heuristic initialisation provides good solutions in shorter running times compared to an exact algorithm. The representations were all found to be competitive. The results are encouraging for future application to the time-constrained multigraph MSPP.

scholarly journals The landscape model: A model for exploring trade-offs between agricultural production and the environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 609 ◽  
pp. 1483-1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Coleman ◽  
Shibu E. Muhammed ◽  
Alice E. Milne ◽  
Lindsay C. Todman ◽  
A. Gordon Dailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Landscape Model ◽  
Trade Offs

Protein-energy ratio for forage production efficiency

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Н. Зезин ◽  
М. Намятов
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Oil Crops ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Research Institute

Исследования Уральского НИИСХ и опыт передовых хозяйств Свердловской области показывают, что для повышения эффективности и стабильности кормопроизводства необходимо в структуре кормовых культур увеличивать удельный вес высокобелковых, высокоэнергетических и засухоустойчивых культур, производить подсев многолетних трав ежегодно на площади не менее 60 тыс. га, а в перспективе 7080 тыс. га. За последние 7 лет (20112018 годы) площади люцерны в области увеличились в 2 раза (до 23 тыс. га), кукурузы по зерновой технологии в 2,4 раза (до 20,9 тыс. га) и масличных культур в 3,1 раза (до 30,8 тыс. га). Опыт СПК Килачёвский Ирбитского района показывает, что освоение научно обоснованных биологизированных севооборотов, прошедших изучение в стационарных опытах Уральского НИИСХ, позволяет ежегодно получать высокие и стабильные урожаи всех сельскохозяйственных культур. В этом хозяйстве каждая кормовая культура размещается в своём севообороте. В СПК Килачёвский и ряде других хозяйств Свердловской области большое значение придаётся возделыванию люцерны, кукурузы и масличных культур. Площадь этих культур в расчёте на одну корову мы назвали белковоэнергетическим коэффициентом (БЭК). Анализ показал тесную взаимосвязь между белковоэнергетическим коэффициентом и молочной продуктивностью. Так, в СПК Килачёвский в 2016 году при удое 10196кг БЭК был равен 1,25 в 2017 году удой достиг 10798кг, БЭК 1,43 в 2018 году соответственно 11493 кг и 1,47 при количестве коров 29002977 голов. According to the investigations conducted at the Ural Agricultural Research Institute and experience of the leading farms in the Sverdlovsk region high effectiveness and stability of Forage Production requires wide cultivation of droughtresistant crops rich in protein and energy as well as seeding over 60 thousand ha (in the future 7080 thousand ha) by perennial grasses annually. For the last 7 years (20112018) areas of alfalfa increased by 2 times (up to 23 thousand ha), grain maize by 2.4 times (up to 20.9 thousand ha), oil crops by 3.1 times (up to 30.8 thousand ha). SPK Kilachevskiy (agricultural production cooperative) reported that the use of approved crop rotations tested at the Ural Agricultural Research Institute resulted in annual high and stable yields of all the crops. SPK Kilachevskiy and other farms of the region widely grow alfalfa, maize and oil crops. Land area for the cultivation of these crops per one cow is called proteinenergy coefficient (PEC). Proteinenergy coefficient was shown to have a significant correlation with milk productivity. SPK Kilachevskiy reported that in 2016 PEC and milk yield reached 1.25 and 10196 kg in 2017 1.43 and 10798 kg in 2018 1.47 and 11493 kg, respectively under 29002977 cows.

AGRICULTURE: THEORY AND CASE LAW

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Оlena Stefan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Narrow Sense ◽  
Economic Entity ◽  
And Training

The article, based on a comprehensive analysis of regulations, doctrinal approaches and case law, substantiates the understanding of the term "agriculture" in terms of purpose (use) of land. Direct analysis of regulations revealed that agricultural land is land provided for agricultural production, agricultural research and training activities, location of relevant production infrastructure, including infrastructure of wholesale markets for agricultural products, or intended for these purposes. In turn, the purpose of the land is the permissible limits of land use by citizens and legal entities (acquirers of such a right) established by law and specified by the relevant body (which transfers such land into ownership or use). The basis for determining the purpose of the land is its belonging to the appropriate category. The main criterion, for example, to distinguish agricultural production (agricultural activity) from other activities is the use of agricultural land as the main (basic) means of production. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the term "agriculture" can be understood in its broad and narrow sense. In a broad sense, the term "agriculture" is the use of land for commercial agricultural production, farming, personal farming, subsidiary agriculture, individual and collective gardening, haymaking and cattle grazing, for research and training purposes, provision of services in agriculture, placement of infrastructure of wholesale markets for agricultural products, as well as other activities on agricultural land, depending on the activities provided by law and the constituent documents of the economic entity. In a narrow sense – this is the purpose of agricultural land. The understanding of the term "agriculture" as the purpose of agricultural land is used by the court in resolving disputes.

scholarly journals Agriculture and Supporting Ecosystem Services: A Trade-off Analysis Using Open Data in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Dias Turetta ◽  
Bruno Pedrosa ◽  
Luca Eufemia ◽  
Michelle Bonatti ◽  
Stefan Sieber
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Agricultural Areas

Open data are important for adding legitimacy and transparency to public sciences. These data have also a potential to be used as a first approach for scientific investigation, such as spatial evaluation of ecosystem services. This paper presents a methodological approach to evaluate the trade-offs between agriculture and supporting ecosystem services based on spatial analysis and open data. The study area is an important agricultural production region in Bahia State, Brazil. The framework was able to establish the spatial interactions between agriculture and ecosystem service provision, while the regional scale was useful in supporting guidelines regarding sustainable land use for agricultural areas.

Research and technology development needs for scaling up conservation agriculture systems, practices and innovations in Africa.

2022 ◽  
pp. 176-188
Author(s):  
Joseph Mureithi ◽  
Saidi Mkomwa ◽  
Amir Kassam ◽  
Ngari Macharia
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Market Growth ◽  
Cropland Area ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The Rich ◽  
To Come

Abstract Although the net agricultural production across all regions of Africa has experienced a significant increase, African agriculture has performed below its potential over recent decades. Many aspects have been fronted to curb this situation, including sustainable intensification of farming systems and value-chain transformation through Conservation Agriculture (CA) across Africa. Based on the latest update, Africa has about 2.7 million ha under CA, an increase of 458% over the past 10 years with 2008/09 as baseline. However, this constitutes a mere 1.5% of the global area under CA, and less than 1.4% of the total cropland area in Africa. A combination of modern techniques and the optimization of agroecological processes in CA systems and practices requires that agricultural research plays a bigger role in its evolution and focus in the different regions of Africa. This targeted research should crucially contribute towards making agriculture in Africa more productive, competitive, sustainable and inclusive in terms of its functionality towards the farmer, society and nature. Scientific solutions for agricultural transformation need to be pursued without losing sight of the potentials and fragility of Africa's agricultural environments, the complexity of its agricultural production systems and the continent's rich biodiversity. The agricultural research and development agenda in Africa must build on the rich traditional farming culture, knowledge and practices, supported by coherent longer-vision for investments in science for agricultural development. Most of these investments are expected to come from national public and private sources, with governments also expected to invest in generation of 'public goods' such as the national or global environmental benefits typical of CA, and to also catalyse innovation and support market growth. The absolute imperative is that farmers must shift from outdated conventional tillage-based methods to modern, well-tested and knowledge-based methods of land use. Making this transition will be difficult without the creation of an enabling environment. This chapter discusses the various roles and advances required in CA-based research that will support the adoption of CA systems by millions of smallholder farmers in Africa with a view to enhancing sustainable and effective agricultural development and economic growth.

Native Advertising in Online News: Trade-Offs Among Clicks, Brand Recognition, and Website Trustworthiness

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anocha Aribarg ◽  
Eric M. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Online Advertising ◽  
Online News ◽  
Editorial Content ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Brand Recognition ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
And Function ◽  
Click Through Rate

Native advertising is a type of online advertising that matches the form and function of the platform on which it appears. In practice, the choice between display and in-feed native advertising presents brand advertisers and online news publishers with conflicting objectives. Advertisers face a trade-off between ad clicks and brand recognition, whereas publishers need to strike a balance between ad clicks and the platform’s trustworthiness. For policy makers, concerns that native advertising confuses customers prompted the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to issue guidelines for disclosing native ads. This research aims to understand how consumers respond to native ads versus display ads and to different styles of native ad disclosures, using randomized online and field experiments combining behavioral clickstream, eye movement, and survey response data. The results show that when the position of an ad on a news page is controlled for, a native ad generates a higher click-through rate because it better resembles the surrounding editorial content. However, a display ad leads to more visual attention, brand recognition, and trustworthiness for the website than a native ad.

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