Conservation and Sustainable Management of Agroecosystems

2019 ◽  
pp. 126-143
Author(s):  
Nicola P. Randall ◽  
Barbara Smith
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Ecological Engineering ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Biological Impacts

This chapter focuses on the role of farm management in biodiversity conservation (and the potential conflicts and synergies between them). It addresses the question of the relationship between productivity and biodiversity, and how this varies between spatial scale and agricultural system. Different methods of farm management for improved biodiversity and resource management on farmland are presented. The focus areas are reintroducing diversity, sustainable pest and nutrient management, and the role of alternative systems such as organic and biodynamic agriculture. Frameworks for regulating the biological impacts of agriculture (e.g. pesticide regulation, ecological engineering, and funding for conservation are also introduced. Other case studies may include organic farming systems, agroforestry systems, and perennial-based cropping systems, as well as the use of integrated pest management techniques.

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

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 Impact

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.

Review: Redesigning Canadian prairie cropping systems for profitability, sustainability, and resilience

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 1049-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne R. Thiessen Martens ◽  
Martin H. Entz ◽  
Mark D. Wonneck
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Canadian Prairie ◽  
Research Education

Thiessen Martens, J. R., Entz, M. H. and Wonneck, M. D. 2015. Review: Redesigning Canadian prairie cropping systems for profitability, sustainability, and resilience. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1049–1072. Redesign of agricultural systems according to ecological principles has been proposed for the development of sustainable systems. We review a wide variety of ecologically based crop production practices, including crop varieties and genetic diversity, crop selection and rotation, cover crops, annual polyculture, perennial forages, perennial grains, agroforestry systems, reducing tillage, use of animal manures and green manures, soil biological fertility, organic production systems, integrated crop–livestock systems, and purposeful design of farm landscapes (farmscaping), and discuss their potential role in enhancing the profitability, environmental sustainability, and resilience of Canadian prairie cropping systems. Farming systems that most closely mimic natural systems through appropriate integration of diverse components, within a context of supportive social and economic structures, appear to offer the greatest potential benefits, while creating a framework in which to place all other farming practices. Our understanding of ecological relationships within agricultural systems is currently lacking, and a major shift in research, education, and policy will be required to purposefully and proactively redesign Canadian prairie agricultural systems for long-term sustainability.

Aquaculture for an ethnic minority in the Terai of Nepal.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jharendu Pant
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fishing Communities ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Pond Aquaculture ◽  
Chitwan Valley ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Traditional Fishing ◽  
Farming Households

Abstract The Chitwan valley situated in the inner Terai, Nepal, is endowed with a favourable sub-tropical monsoonal climate, rich soil and abundant forest resources. Livelihoods of half of the population in Chitwan depend on farming. The average size of farm holdings is small (about 0.6 ha) with the agricultural system characterized by an integration of crop and livestock sub-systems. Recognizing the possible role of small-scale aquaculture in poverty alleviation in Nepal, the project "Women in Aquaculture in Nepal" aimed at the introduction and development of backyard pond aquaculture. It has been working with small-scale farming households of the traditional fishing communities of the Darai and Tharu in the Chitwan valley. The project has successfully demonstrated the role of backyard pond aquaculture to diversify the farming systems of traditional fishing communities in the Chitwan valley. Whilst farmers operated low-input aquaculture systems, there is scope for significantly increasing fish production through intensification.

Effect of plastic mulching on the accumulation and distribution of macro and micro plastic particles in the soil - A case study of two farming systems in North West China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanrong Meng
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Plastic Films ◽  
North West ◽  
Plastic Mulching

<p>Plastic mulching is a common farming practice in arid and semi-arid regions. Inappropriate disposal of plastic films can lead to the contamination of macroplastics (MaPs) and microplastics (MiPs) in the soil. To study the effects of plastic mulching on the contamination of soil with MaPs and MiPs and the role of farm management on this contamination, research was done on two farming systems in Northwest China, where plastic mulching is intensively used. Farming in Wutong Village (S1) is characterized by small plots and low-intensity machinery tillage while farming in Shihezi (S2) is characterized by large plots and high-intensity machinery tillage. Soils were sampled to a depth of 30 cm and analysed. The results showed that MaPs ranged from 30.3 kg·ha<sup>-1</sup> to 82.3 kg·ha<sup>-1</sup> in S1 and from 43.5 kg·ha<sup>-1</sup> to 148 kg·ha<sup>-1</sup> in S2. The main macroplastics  size categories were 2-10 cm<sup>2</sup> and 10-50 cm<sup>2</sup> in S1 and  < 2 cm<sup>2</sup> and 2-10 cm<sup>2</sup> in S2. In S1, we found that 6-8 years of continuous mulching practice resulted in the accumulation of more MaPs as compared to the use of intermittent mulching over the span of 30 years. For S2,  6 to 15 years of plastic mulching use led to MaPs accumulation in fields but from 15 to18 years, the MaPs number and content in soils dropped due to further fragmentation of the plastic and its dispersal into the environment. MiPs were mainly detected in fields with > 30 years of mulching use in S1 and discovered in all fields in S2, this indicated that  long-term cultivation and high-intensity machinery tillage could lead to more severe microplastic pollution. These results emphasized the impacts of  farm management on the accumulation and spread of MaPs and MiPs in the soil and regulations are needed to prevent further contamination of the soil.</p>

scholarly journals Limits to intensity of milk production in sandy areas in The Netherlands

1999 ◽  
pp. 263-277
Author(s):  
H.F.M. Aarts ◽  
B. Habekotte ◽  
H. Van Keulen
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Attractive Option ◽  
The Impact

Agricultural land in sandy areas is mainly in use by dairy farms. As a result of intensive fertilisation and irrigation, environmental quality is threatened by lost nutrients and lowered groundwater levels. Therefore, Dutch government put decreasing limits to losses of nutrients, with lowest values for well-drained sandy soils. Besides, use of groundwater for irrigation will be restricted. Reducing milk production per hectare can be effective to reduce nutrient losses but is costly, as is the increase of output of nutrients by exporting manure. Improved resource management, leading to reduced inputs per kg milk, might be a more attractive option to realise both environmental and economic goals. This paper describes a procedure to quantify the impact of management on the limits of milk production per hectare on well-drained sandy soils, at defined maximum levels of permitted nutrient losses. The procedure has been applied to a range of farming systems, in order of increasing complexity of nutrient management. It is concluded that current average milk production intensity (12,400 kg ha(-1) yr(-1)) has to be reduced drastically if farm management is not successful in increasing the conversion of dietary N (into milk and body weight) and the re-use of N in manure. On the other hand, results suggest that an intensity of almost 15,000 kg ha(-1) yr(-1) should be attainable by best farmers.

Promotion of small-scale pond aquaculture in Chitwan valley, Nepal.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jharendu Pant
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fishing Communities ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Pond Aquaculture ◽  
Chitwan Valley ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Traditional Fishing ◽  
Farming Households

Abstract The Chitwan valley, situated in the inner Terai, Nepal, is endowed with a favourable sub-tropical monsoonal climate, rich soil and abundant forest resources. The livelihoods of half of the population of Chitwan depend on farming. The average size of farm holdings is small (about 0.6 ha) with the agricultural system characterized by an integration of crop and livestock sub-systems. Recognizing the possible role of small-scale aquaculture in poverty alleviation in Nepal, the project "Women in Aquaculture in Nepal" is aimed at the introduction and development of backyard pond aquaculture. It has been working with small-scale farming households of the traditional fishing communities of the Darai and Tharu in the Chitwan valley. The project has successfully demonstrated the role of backyard pond aquaculture in diversifying the farming systems of traditional fishing communities in Chitwan valley. Whilst farmers operated low-input aquaculture systems, there is scope for significantly increasing fish production through intensification.

The Biology of Agroecosystems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Randall ◽  
Barbara Smith
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Biological Impacts ◽  
The Tropics

The Biology of Agroecosystems provides an introduction to the biological and ecological attributes of ecosystems and the biological impacts of agriculture on the wider environment. Global human populations are rising and diets are becoming ever more complicated, leading to requirements for increased levels of food production. Natural biotopes are becoming increasingly fragmented as agricultural activities expand around them. Agroecosystems occur from the tropics to subarctic environments and comprise systems as varied as annual crops, perennial grasslands, orchards, and agroforestry systems. They presently cover almost 40 per cent of the terrestrial land surface and significantly shape landscapes at a global scale. The book outlines the origin and development of agriculture and summarizes the characteristics of different types of agroecosystems. The conflicts between management of land for productivity and conservation of natural resources are discussed, and some of the key biological issues (loss of biodiversity, instability, susceptibility to pests, for example) are explored. Individual chapters introduce the role of functional groups such as pollinators, nutrient cycling organisms, and pest regulators; the importance of soils and soil organisms for agriculture; and the biological impacts of water use in agroecosystems. Globalization of agriculture is explored, and includes drivers of change, such as shifting diets, and biological challenges, such as the spread of pest species. The final chapters outline different management methods for sustainable management of agroecosystems, and consider the future challenges and opportunities for agriculture and the biology of agroecosystems.

Feasibility and sustainability of agroforestry in temperate industrialized agriculture: preliminary insights from California

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 513-521
Author(s):  
Sonja B. Brodt ◽  
Nina M. Fontana ◽  
Leigh F. Archer
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Ecological Intensification ◽  
Trade Offs

AbstractIntensive use of external inputs in specialized industrial farming systems has created significant socio-ecological externalities, including water and air pollution from nutrients and pesticides, soil erosion and depletion of carbon stocks, biodiversity loss and rising production costs. Ecological intensification is a strategy for reducing reliance on inputs by intentionally designing agroecosystems to harness biological processes and ecological relationships for the sustainable functioning of the system. Incorporating perennials and diversifying systems are two avenues for achieving ecological intensification, and both are characteristics of agroforestry. This preliminary report uses examples of agroforestry in the US state of California as a proof of concept to explore the agronomic and economic feasibility and sustainability benefits of agroforestry in intensive irrigated and temperate farming systems. An exploratory study of farmers experimenting with agroforestry systems and other agricultural professionals identified eight different variants of agroforestry systems being practiced on prime agricultural land in California, ranging from simple use of winter cover crops in orchards to multi-storied cropping systems with integrated grazing. Respondents noted benefits of reduced inputs and production costs, and better nutrient cycling, soil health and pest control. Trade-offs and challenges included increases in labor requirements and management complexity. Knowledge gaps included lack of guidance in biophysical systems design, lack of clarity about economic tradeoffs, and lack of information about ecosystem services benefits. In light of interviewees’ responses, we discuss the constraints and factors needed to foster the successful expansion of agroforestry systems in California and other regions characterized by industrialized farming.

scholarly journals Diversifying European agricultural systems by intercropping

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-186
Author(s):  
Erik S. Jensen ◽  
Iman R. Chongtham ◽  
Nawa R. Dhamala ◽  
Carolina Rodriguez ◽  
Nicolas Carton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Ecological Intensification ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Key Factor

Cropping system diversification is a key factor in developing more sustainable cropping and food systems. The agroecological practice of intercropping, meaning the simultaneous cultivation of two or more species in the same field, has recently gained renewed interest as a means of ecological intensification in European agricultural research. We discuss some recent research developments regarding 1) intercropping for ecological intensification in agroecological and conventional cropping systems, 2) studies on nitrogen resource use by cereal-grain legume intercropping cultivation, 3) the role of intercropping in the management of biotic stressors, especially weeds, and 4) intercropping as a means of creating cropping systems that are more resilient to the abiotic and biotic stress associated with climate change. Finally, we propose methods for the greater adoption of intercropping in European agriculture by unlocking farming systems from upstream and downstream barriers, with the aim of developing more sustainable agricultural and food systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document