Abstract
This document presents the concept of the Main Agroecological Structure of agroecosystems (MAS) from the perspective of environmental thinking (ecosystem-culture relationships) and considered as a dissipative cultural structure. It discusses the possible applications of this concept (resilience, production, diversity) both inside and outside the farms. The potential MAS can be useful in the planning processes of the farms because it allows the quantification of the internal and external corridors, including natural vegetation. At the same time, it can be an important tool in the context of landscape management because it shows a series of cultural relations (economic, social, symbolic and technological) that are normally overlooked by the partial analysis of landscape ecology.
Highlights
IntroductionThe concept of environment in the context of agroecology can be understood as: “all the natural components of the earth (air, water, soils, vegetation, animals), along with all the processes [social, economic and cultural] that occur within and among these components” [1]
The concept of environment in the context of agroecology can be understood as: “all the natural components of the earth, along with all the processes [social, economic and cultural] that occur within and among these components” [1].There is enough scientific evidence to prove that the activities developed by human beings ineluctably cause positive or negative changes over the environment
If the agroecosystem is conceived as an open system that constantly interacts with the environment, the Main Agroecological Structure of agroecosystems (MAS) can be considered as a dissipative structure that allows the system to increase or improve the possibilities of maintaining its functionality by incorporating, dissipating or using the matter, energy or information coming from the disturbance
Summary
The concept of environment in the context of agroecology can be understood as: “all the natural components of the earth (air, water, soils, vegetation, animals), along with all the processes [social, economic and cultural] that occur within and among these components” [1]. The culture has been defined as the non-biological heritage of humanity [9] or as all those theoretical and practical processes that are expressed in the symbolic structures, human organization and technological platforms of humanity [10,11,12] From this point of view, food production systems can be understood as sets of activities that human groups organize, direct and carry out according to their objectives and resources, influencing and being influenced by the ecosystem and biophysical environment where they are located [13]. The authors recognize that the agricultural practices at these different scales calls for several types of indicators of technical and socio-economic performance, agro-environmental aspects, social aspects (wellbeing, culture and knowledge) and the resilience of farms and territories facing climate or economic risks Within these practices or strategies that arise from agroecology, León-Sicard [22] proposes to study what he called the Main Agroecological Structure of the major agroecosystems (MAS). This document presents the theoretical bases of the concept, the general methodology for its calculation and the description of some preliminary applications in Colombia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
