The role of landscape heterogeneity in the sustainability of cropping systems.

2009 ◽  
pp. 243-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Baudry ◽  
F. Papy
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Cropping Systems

Diversity of butterflies in the agricultural landscape: the role of farming system and landscape heterogeneity

Ecography ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Christin Weibull ◽  
Jan Bengtsson ◽  
Eva Nohlgren
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Farming System

scholarly journals Ecological Connectivity in Agricultural Green Infrastructure:  Suggested Criteria for Fine Scale Assessment and Planning

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 807
Author(s):  
Simone Valeri ◽  
Laura Zavattero ◽  
Giulia Capotorti
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Unique Type

In promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service capacity, landscape connectivity is considered a critical feature to counteract the negative effects of fragmentation. Under a Green Infrastructure (GI) perspective, this is especially true in rural and peri-urban areas where a high degree of connectivity may be associated with the enhancement of agriculture multifunctionality and sustainability. With respect to GI planning and connectivity assessment, the role of dispersal traits of tree species is gaining increasing attention. However, little evidence is available on how to select plant species to be primarily favored, as well as on the role of landscape heterogeneity and habitat quality in driving the dispersal success. The present work is aimed at suggesting a methodological approach for addressing these knowledge gaps, at fine scales and for peri-urban agricultural landscapes, by means of a case study in the Metropolitan City of Rome. The study area was stratified into Environmental Units, each supporting a unique type of Potential Natural Vegetation (PNV), and a multi-step procedure was designed for setting priorities aimed at enhancing connectivity. First, GI components were defined based on the selection of the target species to be supported, on a fine scale land cover mapping and on the assessment of land cover type naturalness. Second, the study area was characterized by a Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) and connectivity was assessed by Number of Components (NC) and functional connectivity metrics. Third, conservation and restoration measures have been prioritized and statistically validated. Notwithstanding the recognized limits, the approach proved to be functional in the considered context and at the adopted level of detail. Therefore, it could give useful methodological hints for the requalification of transitional urban–rural areas and for the achievement of related sustainable development goals in metropolitan regions.

scholarly journals The crucial role of mulch to enhance the stability and resilience of cropping systems in southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessing Mhlanga ◽  
Laura Ercoli ◽  
Elisa Pellegrino ◽  
Andrea Onofri ◽  
Christian Thierfelder
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Yield Stability ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stability And Resilience

AbstractConservation agriculture has been promoted to sustainably intensify food production in smallholder farming systems in southern Africa. However, farmers have rarely fully implemented all its components, resulting in different combinations of no-tillage, crop rotation, and permanent soil cover being practiced, thus resulting in variable yield responses depending on climatic and soil conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the effect of conservation agriculture components on yield stability. We hypothesized that the use of all three conservation agriculture components would perform the best, resulting in more stable production in all environments. We evaluated at, eight trial locations across southern Africa, how partial and full implementation of these components affected crop yield and yield stability compared with conventional tillage alone or combined with mulching and/or crop rotation. Grain yield and shoot biomass of maize and cowpea were recorded along with precipitation for 2 to 5 years. Across different environments, the addition of crop rotation and mulch to no-tillage increased maize grain by 6%, and the same practices added to conventional tillage led to 13% yield increase. Conversely, adding only mulch or crop rotation to no-tillage or conventional tillage led to lower or equal maize yield. Stability analyses based on Shukla’s index showed for the first time that the most stable systems are those in which mulch is added without crop rotation. Moreover, the highest yielding systems were the least stable. Finally, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis allowed clarifying that mulch added to no-tillage gives stable yields on sandy soil with high rainfall. Similarly, mulch added to conventional tillage gives stable yield on sandy soil, but under low rainfall. This is the first study that highlighted the crucial role of mulch to enhance the stability and resilience of cropping systems in southern Africa, supporting their adaptability to climate change.

scholarly journals Role of modelling in improving nutrient efficiency in cropping systems

2002 ◽  
pp. 319-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Carberry ◽  
M. E. Probert ◽  
J. P. Dimes ◽  
B. A. Keating ◽  
R. L. McCown
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Nutrient Efficiency

scholarly journals Mediterranean Forest Bird Communities and the Role of Landscape Heterogeneity in Space and Time

2018 ◽  
pp. 318-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lluís Brotons ◽  
Sergi Herrando ◽  
Clélia Sirami ◽  
Vassiliki Kati ◽  
Mario Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Mediterranean Forest ◽  
Forest Bird ◽  
Space And Time

The role of bioprotectants for disease control in integrated crop protection approaches

2021 ◽  
pp. 641-668
Author(s):  
Jürgen Köhl ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Restricted Use ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
Chemical Pesticides ◽  
Integrated Crop Protection

Bioprotectants have the potential to replace chemical pesticides in agricultural cropping systems and crop protection approaches. Development of new bioprotectants in combination with more restricted use of chemical crop protection will result in their much stronger market position in the future. Bioprotectants fulfil particular roles in current and future crop protection approaches, primarily reducing pesticide residues in harvested products in conventional systems, as well as being the first and preferred control option in integrated pest management programs and organic farming, and complementing resident microbiomes in future resilient cropping systems. The process of developing bioprotectants can take ten to 15 years. This chapter aims to give a brief overview of the role of bioprotectants in current and future crop protection approaches to stimulate discussion within the biocontrol industries, and amongst scientists and funding agencies on the need for new generations of bioprotectants for an agriculture industry undergoing transition.

scholarly journals Neighbour effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) on Cd bioaccumulation by soybean in saline soil

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 439-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ashrafi ◽  
M. Zahedi ◽  
K. Fahmi ◽  
R. Nadi
Keyword(s):  
Saline Soil ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Portulaca Oleracea ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
Cd Uptake ◽  
Neighbour Effects ◽  
Salinity Levels ◽  
Soybean Plants ◽  
Experimental Treatments

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals can be affected by various crop-weed interactions in agroecosystems. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of belowground interaction of soybean and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) weed on cadmium (Cd) uptake and its allocation to soybean grains. The experimental treatments included two cropping systems (mono and mixed culture), two salinity levels (0% and 0.5% NaCl) and three levels of Cd in soil (control; 3 and 6 mg Cd/kg). Results showed that the promoting effect of salinity on Cd uptake by soybean and Cd allocation to grains was enhanced in the presence of purslane compared to the absence of neighbour plant. This could be due to increasing Cd-mobilization within the shared rhizosphere of plants. In the non-saline soil decreasing uptake and grain allocation of Cd in co-planted soybean was associated with enhancing of purslane Cd uptake and the depletion of Cd in soil solution. Therefore, it can be concluded that co-planted purslane can alter the uptake of cadmium to the neighboring soybean plants; its effect may be influenced by soil environmental conditions such as salinity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document