Ecological dynamics and agricultural landscapes

Abstract

The planet Earth is having difficulty under the stresses imposed by the diverse demands of an ever increasing human population. The problem appears to stem not only from population pressures but also from an imbalance between the needs and desires of society. Agriculture, broadly defined to include farming, fishing, forestry and grazing systems, plays a significant role in the management of land, water, and biological resources. This paper provides an analysis of opportunities for interaction between ecological science and agriculture. The long-term stability of agriculture is dependent on natural sources of genetic material. Many parts of society see a conflict between conservation of biological resources and their exploitation by agriculture. Agricultural production is essential to society and also can provide stewardship of biological resources beyond the limits of those directly associated with production of a commodity. However, interdisciplinary effort is needed in the development of strategies, and societal support of agriculture must take a form that encourages and rewards agriculture for this stewardship.