Agroecology and Ecological Intensification. A Discussion from a Metabolic Point of View

Manuel González De Molina,Gloria Guzmán Casado

doi:10.3390/su9010086

Manuel González De Molina, Gloria Guzmán Casado

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010086

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Jan 10, 2017
Citations: 21	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Abstract

This paper documents the origin and conceptual ambiguity of the terms Sustainable, Ecological and Agroecological Intensification. It defines the concept of Ecological Intensification from an agroecological perspective, and examines in energy terms whether it may be sustainable. To illustrate the theory, we apply Land Cost of Sustainable Agriculture (LACAS) methodology to Spanish agriculture, which is representative of Mediterranean agroclimatic conditions. As a result, we demonstrate the impossibility of generalizing an extensive Organic Farming (OF) scenario under the techniques currently used by organic farmers. This is due to the fact that it would bring about a reduction of 13% in agricultural production. Which necessarily means that OF has to be intensified under agroecological criteria. This option is also explored in two scenarios. As a result, we show that it is possible to compensate the yield gap between OF and conventional agriculture by implementing low-entropy internal loop strategies which reduce the land cost of generating the necessary nitrogen flows. However, these cannot exceed the limits established by the structure of Spanish territory. That is, agroecological intensification cannot be prolonged indefinitely over time since it is limited by the land available.

Highlights

There is a growing conviction in the scientific community, governments, and think tanks that input-intensive or industrial agriculture is not viable
The debate has reached the field of Agroecology, where the term Agroecological Intensification has come into currency
The dose of nitrogen received was less than 60% of that received under conventional agriculture (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

There is a growing conviction in the scientific community, governments, and think tanks that input-intensive or industrial agriculture is not viable. Its negative impacts on the environment and health, its inefficacy in providing a decent income for farmers, its high reliance on fossil fuels and its high vulnerability to climate change have convinced them of the need for a change in the model International organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) [1] recognize that industrial agriculture will be unable to meet the growing demand for food caused by population growth (more than 9 billion people by 2050) and by the increase in meat and dairy consumption, especially in emerging countries. The debate has reached the field of Agroecology, where the term Agroecological Intensification has come into currency. Does this term make sense? Can intensification from an agroecological point of view be sustainable? If so, in what circumstances and for how long?

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion