Biodiversity

This chapter discusses biodiversity in farming systems, including a consideration of the ecological importance of non-agricultural habitats within farm systems. The chapter outlines patterns of biodiversity in space and time, as well as at varying levels (genetic, organismal, landscape), before exploring the impact of agriculture on biodiversity at local, regional, and global scales. Farmland is an artificial environment, often characterized by monocultures grown at a density that differs from natural growth patterns. This can generate instability, resistance to environmental change, susceptibility to pests, pollution, and impacts on other ecosystem services such as soil and water. The chapter ends with a discussion of the biological implications of continued agricultural change (e.g. specialization, intensification).

The Role of Selected Ecosystem Services in Different Farming Systems in Poland Regarding the Differentiation of Agricultural Land Structure

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126673 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6673

Author(s):

Lidia Luty ◽

Kamila Musiał ◽

Monika Zioło

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Soil Formation ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Agricultural System ◽

Organic System ◽

Supporting Soil ◽

Management Method ◽

The functioning of various agroecosystems is nowadays shaped by different farming systems, which may impair their functions, as well as being beneficial to them. The benefits include ecosystem services, defined as economic and noneconomic values gained by humans from ecosystems, through supporting soil formation and nutrient circulation, and the impact of agriculture on climate and biodiversity. Their mutual flow and various disturbances depend on the agroecosystem’s management method, which is associated with the type of management of agricultural land (AL) in individual farms. This paper raises a problem of transformation in the structure of three main farming systems in Poland, in 2004–2018, in relation to the implementation of 16 selected ecosystem services and their scale. Special attention was given to organic farming, as the most environmentally friendly and sustainable. The analysis demonstrates the increase in ALs in that type of production during the analyzed period of time. Disparities of transformation associated with the type of agricultural system were noticeable at the regional level, which were presented in 16 Polish voivodeships. The results of the analysis confirm that the organic system, which is an important carrier of various ecosystem services, gained a stable position. Moreover, areas with integrated farming still do not exceed 0.5% of total agricultural lands in such voivodeships. The analysis of factors influencing the deterioration or disappearance of selected environmental services characterizing agricultural systems indicates the need to depart from an intensive conventional management system.

Perencanaan Usaha Tani Lahan Kering Berkelanjutan Berbasis Tembakaudi Sub-DAS Progo Hulu (Kabupaten Temanggung, Provinsi Jawa Tengah)

Buletin Tanaman Tembakau Serat & Minyak Industri ◽

10.21082/bultas.v6n1.2014.32-49 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 32

Author(s):

Jaka Suyana

Keyword(s):

Water Conservation ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Soil And Water Conservation ◽

Living Standard ◽

Survey Method ◽

Red Bean ◽

The Impact ◽

Akibat dari teknik budi daya yang kurang mengindahkan kaidah konservasi tanah dan air, pada kemiringan berbukit dan curam, serta curah hujan yang tinggi pada usaha tani lahan kering berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu telah menyebabkan terjadinya erosi yang parah dan degradasi lahan. Penelitian ini bertuju-an: (1) mengkaji kondisi biofisik lahan dan karakteristik usaha tani lahan kering berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo hulu; (2) mengkaji pengaruh teknologi konservasi tanah dan air (KTA) spesifik lokasi terhadap limpasan permukaan dan erosi; dan (3) merumuskan perencanaan sistem pertanian konservasi untuk mewu-judkan sistem usaha tani lahan kering berkelanjutan berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu. Penelitian dilakukan menggunakan metode survei, percobaan lapangan, dan analisis di laboratorium. Data karakteristik lahan, karakteristik usaha tani, serta data limpasan permukaan dan erosi dianalisis secara deskriptif dan dilan-jutkan dengan analisis ragam (uji F) dan uji HSD 5%. Selanjutnya pengembangan rekomendasi agroteknolo-gi diformulasikan melalui teknik simulasi dengan program Powersim Versi 2.5d. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa penggunaan lahan pada usaha tani lahan kering berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu pada umumnya (58,4%) sesuai dengan kelas kemampuan lahan dan sisanya 41,6% tidak sesuai dengan kelas ke-mampuan lahan. Terdapat 77,2% lahan memiliki nilai prediksi erosi lebih besar dari nilai erosi yang dapat di-toleransikan (ETol) dan perlu penyempurnaan dalam teknologi KTA. Usaha tani lahan kering berbasis usaha tani tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu didominasi pola tanam jagung-tembakau (51,0%) dan cabai-temba-au (29,2%), dengan pendapatan usaha tani masih di atas nilai kebutuhan hidup layak (KHL). Perlakuan pem-berian mulsa batang tembakau dikombinasikan rumput penguat teras (Setaria spacelata) dapat menekan erosi 15–19% pada dosis 7 ton/ha dan 31–43% pada dosis 14 ton/ha batang tembakau, sedangkan tumpang sari koro merah dengan tembakau dikombinasikan penggunaan mulsa batang tembakau 7 ton/ha dapat menekan erosi 13–20%. Pengembangan usaha tani lahan kering berkelanjutan berbasis tembakau di Sub-DAS Progo Hulu dapat diwujudkan dengan penyempurnaan teknologi KTA yang meliputi: (a) perlakuan rumput setaria sebagai penguat teras + mulsa batang tembakau 7 ton/ha atau perlakuan tumpang sari koro merah dengan tembakau + mulsa batang tembakau 7 ton/ha pada kemiringan lereng 8–15%; (b) teras miring + perlakuan rorak pada kemiringan lereng 15–30%; dan (c) perlakuan rumput setaria sebagai penguat teras miring + mulsa batang tembakau 14 ton/ha + rorak pada kemiringan lereng >30%. Due to inadequate soil and water conservation practices in farming activity at tobacco based farming sys-tems, severe erosion and land degradation had been occuring in almost all upland agriculture in Progo Hulu Sub-watershed. This research was conducted: (1) to study land’s biophysic conditions and the characteris-tics of tobacco based farming systems, (2) to study and analyze the impact of various soil and water conser-vation practices on erosion, (3) to study and design sustainable conservation farming systems in tobacco based farming systems. This research by using a survey method, field experiments, and laboratory analysis.Data characteristics of land, farm characteristics, surface run off and erosion by using descriptive analyzed and followed by analysis of variance (F test) and 5% HSD test. The development of agrotechnology recom-mendations formulated by simulation techniques using program Powersim Version 2.5 d. The results showed that land use in tobacco-based farming systems at Progo-Hulu sub-watershed was generally (58.4%) suitable to its land capability and 41.6% were not suitable. The predicted erosion on approximately 77.2% of lands were higher than local tollerable soil loss which need improvement of soil and water conservation techniques. Tobacco based farming systems was dominated by maize-tobacco (51.0%) and chili-tobacco (29.2%) cropping patterns; farmers income on this farming systems were higher than the income that can support worthed life living standard. The application of crop residue (tobacco stems) as mulch with rate of 7 tones/ha and 14 tones/ha combined with grassed bench terraces ((Setaria spacelata) reduced erosion as much as 15–19% and 31–43%, respectively. Meanwhile, red bean-tobacco intercropping combined with crop residue mulch of 7 tones/ ha had suppressed erosion 13–20%. Sustainable tobacco-based farming systems could be developed in this area by practicing improved soil and water conservation technologies with: (a) setaria grass to strengthen terraces + 7 tones/ha of crop residue mulch or red bean and tobacco intercropping + 7 tones/ha of crop residue mulch on 8–15% slope; (b) broad base terraces + adequate slit pit on 15–30% slope; and (c) setaria grass to strengthen broadbase terraces + 14 ton/ha of crop residue mulch + adequate slit pit on >30% slope.

Shades of Greening: Reviewing the Impact of the new EU Agricultural Policy on Ecosystem Services

Change and Adaptation in Socio-Ecological Systems ◽

10.2478/cass-2014-0006 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jennifer Hauck ◽

Christian Schleyer ◽

Klara J. Winkler ◽

Joachim Maes

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Agricultural Policy ◽

Crop Production ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Mixed Effects ◽

Crop Diversification ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Ecological Focus Areas ◽

The Impact ◽

The Eu

AbstractIn December 2013, the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council formally adopted the new regulations for the reformed Common Agricultural Policy (2014-2020). The new regulations include three obligatory greening measures: ecological focus areas, maintaining permanent grassland, and crop diversification. We assess the impact of these measures on ecosystem services using scientific and gray literature. The literature review reveals that the adopted greening measures will have mixed effects, i.e., trade-offs and synergies across ecosystems services. Provisioning services, in particular crop production, are expected to decrease when the measures are implemented. All other service categories, i.e., regulating and cultural services, will increase – or are at least will not obviously be negatively affected – once the measures are implemented. However, in terms of tradeoffs and synergies, much depends on objectives being pursued, the baseline or alternative land use underlying the comparison, and on the prevalent farming systems and farm characteristics. Including the ecosystem services concept into the design and assessment of policies would allow a systematic review of the consequences of measures also for services otherwise easily ignored.

The Perception of Ecosystem Services of Mountain Farming and of a Local Cheese: An Analysis for the Touristic Valorization of an Inner Alpine Area

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12198017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (19) ◽

pp. 8017

Author(s):

Rebecca Montrasio ◽

Silvana Mattiello ◽

Martina Zucaro ◽

Dino Genovese ◽

Luca Battaglini

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Low Income ◽

Dairy Product ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Education Level ◽

Positive Perception ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Local Society ◽

Mountain husbandry systems and their related products may directly or indirectly provide either ecosystem services (ESs) or disservices to humanity. The present study aims to evaluate the perception that a local mountain community has towards animal husbandry in the Lanzo Valleys (Piedmont, Italy) and towards the typical local dairy product, Toma di Lanzo, as well as to investigate the consumers’ habits and preferences, to detect possible positive impacts on mountain tourism. A questionnaire was delivered to 233 respondents. The perception of the impact was scored using a five-point Likert scale. The results show a very positive perception of the product Toma di Lanzo because of its origin and type of processing, with different perceptions of the local society depending on age (p < 0.01), residence (p < 0.01), and education level (p < 0.05). The respondents had a very positive awareness of the impact of mountain livestock farming in the Lanzo Valleys. The most important perceived ESs are cultural identity and maintenance of local breeds. Women, non-residents, and respondents with an intermediate education level generally had a more positive perception of ESs. There was a very low perception of disservices derived from mountain animal farming. The main perceived obstacles to the spread of benefits derived from these farming systems were the scarce presence of specific supporting politics and the low income generated by mountain farming activities. The coexistence of touristic activities and extensive livestock farming systems has to be associated with a better promotion of mountain products like Toma di Lanzo to improve the sustainability of mountain regions.

OMERE: A Long-Term Observatory of Soil and Water Resources, in Interaction with Agricultural and Land Management in Mediterranean Hilly Catchments

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-13665 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jérôme Molénat ◽

Damien Raclot ◽

Rim Zitouna ◽

Jean Albergel ◽

Marc Voltz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Water Resources ◽

Land Management ◽

Observation Strategy ◽

Mass Flows ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact ◽

The hydrology of the Mediterranean region is affected by global changes such as climate and land use changes. In rural areas, changes in farming practices and landscape management can be the main drivers of changes in water cycles and in matter transport associated with hydrological fluxes, such as contaminants and sediments. The process underlying these changes can be slow, such as in land use or contaminant dynamics, or infrequent over time, such as erosion. Understanding these processes and their relationship requires long-term observations to capture slow dynamics or infrequent events. In this context, we present the Mediterranean agro-hydrological observatory OMERE (Mediterranean observatory of the rural environment and water) by explaining the observation strategy and by emphasizing how this strategy and associated research have contributed to a better understanding of the impact of agricultural and land management on mass flows in Mediterranean farmed headwater catchments. The OMERE observatory is made up of two agricultural catchments, one in the north of Tunisia and the other in the south of France, accounting for for the diversity of agricultural and ecosystem situations in hilly Mediterranean areas. The OMERE observatory belongs to the French national network OZCAR, dedicated to the observation of the critical zone. The observation strategy is motivated by monitoring the flow of water, sediments and contaminants and hydrological and climatic variables at different spatial scales from cultivated plots and landscape elements to the catchment scale. These measurements were made with fine temporal resolution on a long-term scale and examining land use, agricultural practices and soil surface characteristics. The long-term observation strategy aims to support multidisciplinary integrative research to elucidate the conditions that improve soil and water management and the provision of ecosystem services in the Mediterranean context of rain-fed agriculture. The observatory addressed three scientific questions: (i) better understand water flows, erosion and contaminants, in particular pesticides, and their natural and anthropogenic factors in the short and long term; (ii) analyze the overall effects of agriculture and land management on mass flows at different scales, from the plot to the watershed or the landscape; and (iii) develop new scenarios for sustainable agricultural management and better delivery of ecosystem services. Some of the scientific progresses driven by the questions drawn from the OMERE observatory are presented.Voltz, M., and A. Albergel. 2002. OMERE: Observatoire M&#233;diterran&#233;en de l&#8217;Environnement Rural et de l&#8217;Eau- Impact des actions anthropiques sur les transferts de masse dans les hydrosyst&#232;mes m&#233;diterran&#233;ens ruraux. Proposition d&#8217;Observatoire de Recherche en Environnement. Minist. Fran&#231;ais Rech., ParisMol&#233;nat, J., Raclot, D., Zitouna R., ...., Albergel, J., and Voltz M., 2018, OMERE: A Long-Term Observatory of Soil and Water Resources, in Interaction with Agricultural and Land Management in Mediterranean Hilly Catchments, Vadose Zone J., 17:180086. doi:10.2136/vzj2018.04.0086

Private Agricultural R&D: Do the Poor Benefit?

Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization ◽

10.1515/jafio-2021-0007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Jock R. Anderson ◽

Regina Birner ◽

Latha Najarajan ◽

Anwar Naseem ◽

Carl E. Pray

Keyword(s):

Poverty Reduction ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Agricultural Technologies ◽

Policy Makers ◽

The Public ◽

The Poor ◽

The World ◽

Agricultural Research And Development ◽

Abstract Private agricultural research and development can foster the growth of agricultural productivity in the diverse farming systems of the developing world comparable to the public sector. We examine the extent to which technologies developed by private entities reach smallholder and resource-poor farmers, and the impact they have on poverty reduction. We critically review cases of successfully deployed improved agricultural technologies delivered by the private sector in both large and small developing countries for instructive lessons for policy makers around the world.

Case study of a water bioengineering construction site in Austria. Ecological aspects and application of an environmental life cycle assessment model

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering ◽

10.1007/s40095-021-00419-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

M. von der Thannen ◽

S. Hoerbinger ◽

C. Muellebner ◽

H. Biber ◽

H. P. Rauch

Keyword(s):

Global Warming ◽

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Assessment Model ◽

Construction Site ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment ◽

The Impact ◽

AbstractRecently, applications of soil and water bioengineering constructions using living plants and supplementary materials have become increasingly popular. Besides technical effects, soil and water bioengineering has the advantage of additionally taking into consideration ecological values and the values of landscape aesthetics. When implementing soil and water bioengineering structures, suitable plants must be selected, and the structures must be given a dimension taking into account potential impact loads. A consideration of energy flows and the potential negative impact of construction in terms of energy and greenhouse gas balance has been neglected until now. The current study closes this gap of knowledge by introducing a method for detecting the possible negative effects of installing soil and water bioengineering measures. For this purpose, an environmental life cycle assessment model has been applied. The impact categories global warming potential and cumulative energy demand are used in this paper to describe the type of impacts which a bioengineering construction site causes. Additionally, the water bioengineering measure is contrasted with a conventional civil engineering structure. The results determine that the bioengineering alternative performs slightly better, in terms of energy demand and global warming potential, than the conventional measure. The most relevant factor is shown to be the impact of the running machines at the water bioengineering construction site. Finally, an integral ecological assessment model for applications of soil and water bioengineering structures should point out the potential negative effects caused during installation and, furthermore, integrate the assessment of potential positive effects due to the development of living plants in the use stage of the structures.

Oceanic islands and climate: using a multi-criteria model of drivers of change to select key conservation areas in Galapagos

Regional Environmental Change ◽

10.1007/s10113-021-01768-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Escobar-Camacho ◽

Paulina Rosero ◽

Mauricio Castrejón ◽

Carlos F. Mena ◽

Francisco Cuesta

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Environmental Change ◽

Southern Oscillation ◽

Marine Reserve ◽

Galapagos Islands ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Assessment Model ◽

Human Populations ◽

Galápagos Islands ◽

Drivers Of Change

AbstractThe unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands are highly vulnerable to human-based drivers of change, including the introduction of invasive species, unsustainable tourism, illegal fishing, overexploitation of ecosystem services, and climate change. These drivers can interact with climate-based drivers such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) at multiple temporal and spatial scales, exacerbating their negative impacts on already fragile ecosystems and the socioeconomic system of the Archipelago. In this review, we performed a literature review based on published literature from 1945 to 2020 and local and global climate databases to analyze drivers of change in the Galapagos. We developed and applied a spatial impact assessment model to identify high-ecological value areas with high sensitivity and exposure scores to environmental change drivers. We identified 13 priority HEVA that encompass ca. 23% (14,715 km2) of the Galapagos Archipelago, distributed in nearly 3% of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and 20% Galapagos National Park. Current and future impacts are likely to concentrate on the inhabited islands’ highlands, whereas marine impacts concentrate along most of the Galapagos Islands’ shorelines. These results are important for guiding the design and implementation of adaptation measures aimed at increasing ecosystem resilience and human adaptive capacity in the face of global environmental change. Overall, these results will be valuable in their application for preserving Galapagos biota, securing the provision of vital ecosystem services for resident human populations, and sustaining the nature-based tourism industry.

The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic

Land ◽

10.3390/land10040341 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 341

Author(s):

Ralf-Uwe Syrbe ◽

Ina Neumann ◽

Karsten Grunewald ◽

Patrycia Brzoska ◽

Jiři Louda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Green Space ◽

Well Being ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Urban Nature ◽

Urban Green ◽

Green Areas ◽

The Impact ◽

Health And Well Being

The quality of life in our cities critically depends on the intelligent planning and shaping of urban living space, in particular urban nature. By providing a wide range of ecosystem services (ES), urban nature essentially contributes to the well-being of city dwellers and plays a major role in avoiding common diseases through its positive impact on physical and mental health. Health is one of the most important factors underlying human welfare and is, thus, vital to sustainable development. The ES of urban green space provide other social-cultural functions alongside public health, for example by fostering environmental justice and citizenship participation. Thus, they should always be considered when searching for solutions to urban problems. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of green areas in three selected cities on the health and well-being of people by self-reporting of green areas’ visitors. To this end, we posed the research question: which types and characteristics of urban green space are most appreciated by city dwellers? Based on our findings, we have drawn up recommendations for practices to promote better living conditions. We have also pinpointed obstacles to and opportunities for leisure time activities as well as ways of supporting the public health of citizens.

Identifying key processes and sectors in the interaction between climate and socio-economic systems: a review toward integrating Earth–human systems

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science ◽

10.1186/s40645-021-00418-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kaoru Tachiiri ◽

Xuanming Su ◽

Ken’ichi Matsumoto

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Gross Domestic Product ◽

Significant Influence ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

The Other ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Economic Systems ◽

AbstractFor the purpose of identifying the key processes and sectors involved in the interaction between Earth and socio-economic systems, we review existing studies on those processes/sectors through which the climate impacts socio-economic systems, which then in turn affect the climate. For each process/sector, we review the direct physical and ecological impacts and, if available, the impact on the economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Based on this review, land sector is identified as the process with the most significant impact on GHG emissions, while labor productivity has the largest impact on the gross domestic product (GDP). On the other hand, the energy sector, due to the increase in the demand for cooling, will have increased GHG emissions. Water resources, sea level rise, natural disasters, ecosystem services, and diseases also show the potential to have a significant influence on GHG emissions and GDP, although for most of these, a large effect was reported only by a limited number of studies. As a result, more studies are required to verify their influence in terms of feedbacks to the climate. In addition, although the economic damage arising from migration and conflict is uncertain, they should be treated as potentially damaging processes.