Comparative analysis of sustainability assessment methods in agroecosystems

Abstract

The aim of this work was to compare and analyze three different methods of the sustainability evaluation in agricultural systems, such as the Indicateurs de Durabilité des Exploitations Agricoles (IDEA), the weighted Assessment of environmental impact of New Rural activities (APOIA Novo-Rural), and the indicators of sustainability in Agroecosystem (ISA). Those methods were comparied by two criteria. The first one relates to the distribution of sustainability indicators into categories (Endogenous System Operation, Endogenous Resources, Exogenous Systems Operation, and Exogenous Resources) and elements (technical, socioeconomic, natural and cultural resources). The second one involves the conceptual approaches of each method towards the concept of sustainability, objective and target audience, adoption of the systemic approach, level of stakeholder’s participation, level of adequacy, and method flexibility in different realities. The indicators set of each method, although quantitatively different, consider the diversity of elements that involve the agricultural systems. The IDEA method concentrates its indicators on the Endogenous System Operation category, while the APOIA Novo-Rural and the ISA methods concentrate their indicators on the Endogenous Resources category. The IDEA method directs the assessment to the awareness of the environmental processes that surround the agricultural activity in the property. On the other hand, in the APOIA Novo-Rural and the ISA methods, the reflective practice is fostered from impacts on the environment, and can be improved by extension actions. The main difference presented among those methods is the integrative evaluation of the indicators as well as trade-offs involved.