Characteristics Of Agroecosystems Research Articles

A simultaneous assessment of multiple ecosystem services and disservices in vineyards and orchards on Terceira Island, Azores

Monitoring ecosystem processes resulting in ecosystem services (ESs) and disservices (EDs) is crucial in agricultural ecosystems. Traditionally, ESs/EDs provided by arthropods have been estimated indirectly by measuring arthropod abundance and diversity, overlooking the recognised limitations of such approach. Using a consistent methodology based on the sentinel approach, we quantified the intensity of five ecological processes leading to four ESs and two EDs in vineyards and citrus orchards on Terceira Island, Azores. We assessed herbivory rates on lettuce plants (ED), predation rates on green plasticine caterpillars by vertebrates and invertebrates (ES), the intensity of insect pollination on strawberry plants (ES), the rates of predation on wheat and dandelion seeds (ED and ES, respectively) by rodents and invertebrates, and decomposition rates using tea and rooibos leaves (ES). Herbivory rates after 2 weeks were significantly lower in vineyards (mean ± SD; 0.5 ± 0.6%) than in citrus orchards (3.6 ± 2.9%). Vertebrate predation rates in vineyards (4.0 ± 13.6% d-1) were significantly higher than in citrus orchards (2.4 ± 10.7% d-1), while no differences were observed for overall and invertebrate predation rates. Pollination efficiency in vineyards (214.5 ± 23.9 seeds/fruit) was significantly higher than in citrus orchards (162.0 ± 14.7 seeds/fruit). Seed predation rates were higher, although not significantly so, in citrus orchards (2.0 ± 5.8% d-1) than in vineyards (0.3 ± 0.8% d-1). Decomposition was significantly higher on tea than on rooibos leaves, both in vineyards (1.15 ± 0.11 g vs. 0.72 ± 0.16 g) and citrus orchards (1.34 ± 0.06 g vs. 0.78 ± 0.13 g); no differences between mass loss in the two habitats were observed. Our results demonstrated the suitability of simple, direct monitoring tools for a quantitative comparison of agricultural habitats, confirm that landscape complexity does not always support ESs, and that the same agro-ecosystem characteristics that support ESs could occasionally also favour EDs.

Assessment of ecosystem services and natural capital dynamics in agroecosystems

Increasing the levels of ecosystem services that contribute to agricultural production (ES) is a challenge for the sustainability of agricultural systems. Agricultural advisors lack low-data operational approaches for assessing ES and knowledge to support development of ES-based systems. To fill this gap, we developed an approach that assesses relations between characteristics of agroecosystems and the ES they offer: pollination, pest, weed and disease control, soil structuration, nitrogen and phosphorus supply to crops, water retention and control of erosion. We distinguished four dimensions of ES: potential capacities, real capacities, levels actually used by farmers and dynamics of the natural capital that supports ES provision. We assessed them with a low-data indicator-based method at the agroecosystem level. It provided a score for (i) the quality of the agroecosystem’s spatiotemporal configuration, (ii) positive or negative modulations in ES expression caused by agricultural practices, (iii) the farmer’s strategy for using ES and (iv) four components of natural capital dynamics (soil quantity, soil organic matter, phosphorus cycling and the biodiversity that supports ES). We demonstrate the interest of the approach by applying it to 34 contrasting agroecosystems in France and subsequently identifying five agriculture models. Analysis of this case study identified several ways to attain high-yield agroecosystems based on anthropogenic inputs, ES or both. We discuss strengths and possible improvements of our approach and highlight key knowledge gaps to examine in future studies.

Swidden Agriculture, food security and environment in semiarid area of Timor – Indonesia

Despite policies inplemented to minimise Swidden Agriculture (SA) practices, it remains in semi-arid areas of Timor Island. A study of SA was conducted in Manikin Watershed (MW) of West Timor during 2017 to 2019 in oder to understand the nature of SA using Agro-ecosystems approach and to analyse the strengths of SA for sustainable upland farming management. The research applied survey method in data collection. Qualitative data analysed using thematic analysis descriptively and mapping spacial analysis using open access of SAGAGIS. The results showed that Agro-ecosystem characteristics of SA at MW have characterised by Low Productivity, Low Stability, High Equitability, High Adaptability, and High Autonomous. High adaptability and some important components which are suits with resource poor farmers becomes the main reasons why upland farmers keep practicing SA. The strengths of SA lies on the farmers’ perception that SA as an adaptive and suitable system of semi-arid upland farmers’ circumstances: saving labour, only need simple equipments, easy to applied, no external inputs used, fertilize the soil/crops, and harvest guarantee for at least one food crop. The SA have strengths to be improved and developed as a productive and sustainable farming model that suitable for semi-arid upland communities.

Ecological and Nutritional Functions of Agroecosystems as Indicators of Smallholder Resilience

Smallholder agriculture is the foundation of global food systems, yet smallholders face severe socio-economic and environmental challenges that can destabilize livelihoods and threaten their resilience. Given that smallholder farmers rely on household production to meet their nutritional needs, management of soil fertility, biodiversity, and other ecological characteristics of agroecosystems directly affects smallholders’ capacity to produce sufficient crop nutrients for their diets. However, we lack explicit frameworks linking ecological and nutritional functions of agroecosystems, as well as research exploring farmers’ adaptive capacity and agency in mediating these functions, and ultimately, agroecosystem resilience. To address these gaps, we developed an indicator framework to evaluate the complementary roles of ecological and nutritional functions of agroecosystems for smallholder resilience. Paired ecological and nutritional indicators were aggregated into an index representing four agroecosystem functions: (1) Productivity, (2) Diversity, (3) Quality, and (4) Functional Diversity. We then applied this framework and index to a case study of Q’eqchi’ Maya smallholders in eastern Guatemala, using farm management and crop quality data from 60 households to determine the status of agroecosystem functions and assess coping and adaptive capacities in response to shocks. More than three-quarters of farms in the sample relied solely on household production of staples to meet their nutritional demands. Across farms, ecological and nutritional indicators were significantly related (Kendall’s tau = 0.58, z = 5.7, p <0.0001), and we found both synergistic (Quality, Functional Diversity) and tradeoff (Productivity) relationships between indicator pairs. We found that farmers using ecological adaptation strategies such as cover cropping and agroforestry had significantly higher levels of agroecosystem functioning and resilience than farmers who were coping with shocks by working off-farm or renting land from plantations. Our findings demonstrate the importance of linking ecological and nutritional functions of agroecosystems through diversified management practices to leverage their synergies. Because smallholder agroecosystems underlie a third of the food system, understanding and promoting their resilience is critical for the social, ecological, and nutritional well-being of global populations.

Harnessing AI to Transform Agriculture and Inform Agricultural Research

We provide an overview of the Special Issue on current advances, challenges, and opportunities for AI technologies in agriculture. We illustrate the potential of AI using four major components of the food system: production, distribution, consumption, and uncertainty. We recognize that the transformation of agriculture will require new tools to more precisely manage fields to increase production while minimizing the environmental risk to water and air quality. Combining AI with other technologies will be needed to provide effective production management strategies for a given combination of soil, climate, pest complexes, and vegetation. New methods will be needed to determine production limitations, and effective management options. The agricultural enterprise is prime for the use of AI and other technologies if they can be adapted for the unique characteristics of agroecosystems, including variability and directional changes in climate and other global change drivers as well as novel management and policy decisions, and economic market volatility.

Plant identity, but not diversity, and agroecosystem characteristics affect the occurrence of M. robertsii in an organic cropping system

Organic farmers rely largely on cultural practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, and on biological control to manage pests. Winter cover crops add diversity to agroecosystems and can benefit soil conservation and health, retention and supply of soil nutrients, regulation of arthropods, and crop yields. Within the framework of a three-year experiment to investigate ecosystem services and disservices associated with 12 winter cover crop treatments during the transition of a small grain – corn – soybean production system to organic management, we examined the effects of cash crop and crop management, cover crop species and diversity, arthropods, and soil properties on Metarhizium spp. in a single field site in central Pennsylvania, USA. We used sentinel insect assays with Galleria mellonella L. to determine the relative occurrence of Metarhizium spp. in soil samples from treatment plots. M. robertsii was the only species detected, and therefore Metarhizium species diversity was not related to cover crop diversity. Detection of M. robertsii was lower in cover crop monocultures and mixtures containing brassicas compared to those with legumes. M. robertsii was detected more frequently in the standing cover crops in the corn phase of the rotation than in the soybean phase, but there was no difference in soil samples in the corn and soybeans after cover crop termination. In samples from cover crops, 33% of the variation of percentage mortality of sentinel G. mellonella by M. robertsii was explained by positive correlations with cover crop biomass in the previous fall, the biomass of weeds in the current season (spring), soil moisture, Ca, and timing of sampling in days after planting, and by negative correlations with number of days since disturbance prior to soil sampling and percent sand. In samples from corn and soybeans, 23% of the variation of percentage mortality of sentinel G. mellonella by M. robertsii was explained by positive correlations with soil labile C, electrical conductivity, and activity-density of ground beetles (Carabidae), and by negative correlations with increasing number of days after planting relative to time of sampling, percent sand, and activity-density of mites. The complex interactions of multiple biotic and abiotic factors that shape the soil community requires further research to develop an understanding of how to manage production systems and practices to promote and conserve biological control in the soil.

Individual and community level factors with a significant role in determining child height-for-age Z score in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, child undernutrition remains to be a major public health challenge and a contributing factor for child mortality and morbidity. To reduce the problem, it is apparent to identify determinants of child undernutrition in specific contexts to deliver appropriately, targeted, effective and sustainable interventions.MethodsAn agroecosystem linked cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3108 children aged 6–59 months. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, child anthropometry and on potential immediate, underlying and basic individual and community level determinants of child undernutrition using the UNICEF conceptual framework. Analysis was done using STATA 13 after checking for basic assumptions of linear regression. Important variables were selected and individual and community level determinants of child height-for-age Z score were identified. P values less than 0.05 were considered the statistical level of significance.ResultsIn the intercept only model and full models, 3.8% (p < 0.001) and 1.4% (p < 0.001) of the variability were due to cluster level variability. From individual level factors, child age in months, child sex, number of under five children, immunization status, breast feeding initiation time, mother nutritional status, diarrheal morbidity, household level water treatment and household dietary diversity were significant determinants of child height for age Z score. Also from community level determinants, agroecosystem type, liquid waste disposal practice and latrine utilization were significantly associated with child height-for-age Z score.ConclusionIn this study, a statistical significant heterogeneity of child height-for-age Z score was observed among clusters even after controlling for potential confounders. Both individual and community level factors, including the agroecosystem characteristics had a significant role in determining child height-for-age Z score in the study area. In addition to the existing efforts at the individual levels to improve child nutritional status, agroecosystem and community WASH related interventions should get more attention to improve child nutritional status in the study area.

Seasonal variability in the response of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) to a forest edge in a heterogeneous agricultural landscape in Japan

Understanding arthropod responses to forest edges is essential to understanding both the characteristics of agro-ecosystems and the potential ecosystem services provided by forests adjacent to farmland in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. Seasonal differ- ence in the responses of carabid beetles to forest edges was determined using transects that extended from the edge of the forest 22.5 m into the interior of a forest and 22.5 m into the meadow in three seasons, early summer, late summer and mid-autumn. The responses of carabids to the forest edge in terms of species richness and abundance differed significantly in the three seasons. The species richness and abundance peaked in the meadow 4.5 m from the edge and were low in the forest in summer, whereas they peaked at the edge and remained high in the forest in autumn. Species-level analyses revealed that several species did not move between habitats, indicating that the forest edge acted as a barrier for these species. Many species, however, peaked in the meadow near the edge and the distribu- tion of one species along the meadow-forest transect changed with the seasons. Our results indicate that secondary forests are not an effective sources of predators of pests, but do function as overwintering sites for some species. Because many species that prefer open land hibernate in field boundaries and fallow fields, the quality and spatial configuration of these habitats is important. Furthermore, in terms of pest management the seasonal dynamics of not only carabid beetles but other beneficial arthropods such as spiders and parasitoids should be considered.

NICARAGUA: POTENCIAL FARO REGIONAL PARA EL DISEÑO Y EVALUACIÓN DE AGROECOSISTEMAS AGROECOLÓGICOS

En este artículo se expresa la imperiosa necesidad de convertir los sistemas de producción convencionales en fincas agroecológicas como alternativa para que la nueva empresa agraria garantice la implementación de buenas prácticas productivas y de manufactura que contribuyan a ofrecer productos de calidad e inocuos y servicios con un enfoque de calidad total. Desde esta perspectiva, la Universidad Nacional Agraria oferta un programa de formación de talentos humanos a diferentes niveles en agroecología, que consta de cinco grandes proyectos. También, se expresa el andamiaje jurídico nacional actual para implementar la política de la producción agroecológica y orgánica, así como los pasos para el diseño y evaluación de sistemas agroecológicos del presente siglo, cuyos tópicos son: grupos y características de agro ecosistemas, tipos de agro ecosistemas complejos o diversificados, biodiversidad a considerar para el diseño de sistemas diversificados sostenibles en el trópico, ejes a considerar para el diseño de sistemas diversificados sostenibles en el trópico que incluya un manejo integral de los recursos naturales, procesos para el diseño de sistemas diversificados sostenibles en el trópico, pasos y herramientas para el diseño de sistemas diversificados sostenibles en el trópico oferentes de bienes y servicios a la sociedad, ejemplos de sistemas diversificados sostenibles en el trópico oferentes de bienes y servicios, desafíos para el diseño de sistemas diversificados sostenibles en el trópico y la evaluación de sistemas diversificados sostenibles. El propósito es fomentar una agricultura resiliente al cambio climático, productiva y eficiente (energética, económica y biodiversa), pero también que garantice la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v13i20.1634

Natural enemy-mediated indirect interactions among prey species: potential for enhancing biocontrol services in agroecosystems.

Understanding how arthropod pests and their natural enemies interact in complex agroecosystems is essential for pest management programmes. Theory predicts that prey sharing a predator, such as a biological control agent, can indirectly reduce each other's density at equilibrium (apparent competition). From this premise, we (i) discuss the complexity of indirect interactions among pests in agroecosystems and highlight the importance of natural enemy-mediated indirect interactions other than apparent competition, (ii) outline factors that affect the nature of enemy-mediated indirect interactions in the field and (iii) identify the way to manipulate enemy-mediated interactions for biological control. We argue that there is a need to increase the link between community ecology theory and biological control to develop better agroecological methods of crop protection via conservation biological control. In conclusion, we identify (i) interventions to be chosen depending on agroecosystem characteristics and (ii) several lines of research that will improve the potential for enemy-mediated indirect interactions to be applied to biological control.

Linking Farmers’ Knowledge, Farming Strategies, and Consequent Cultivation Patterns into the Identification of Healthy Agroecosystem Characteristics at Local Scales

In order to identify sustainable management solutions for small-scale farmer agroecosystems, a better understanding of these dynamic forest–farmland systems, existing farming and forestry strategies, and farmer perspectives is important. We examined the relationship between agricultural land use patterns and farmers’ practices and identified existing and potential characteristics of healthy agroecosystems at local scale in the context of village communities in Zanzibar, Tanzania. With in-depth household survey and participatory mapping, five distinct cropping patterns were identified and their relation to land cover elucidated. Consequences of the diverse local farming strategies to field level cultivation patterns are dynamic. However, long-term adaptation of the local farmers to prevailing edaphic site conditions and resource-poor circumstances create fragmented but fairly stable land use patterns at landscape level. By integrating local expert knowledge and realities with scientific knowledge, we identified sustainable agroecosystem characteristics and farming practices, which are knowledge-intensive, alternative and adaptable to local conditions. Some of these practices are already a part of the local farming strategies and some require training and higher level support to reach healthier agroecosystem and better food security. They also offer potential opportunities for forest conservation since their tree-based nature provide forest products to the communities.

Ants as indicators of soil-based ecosystem services in agroecosystems of the Colombian Llanos

Ants represent a widespread and functionally diverse taxonomic group that are both sensitive to land management and serve as important regulators of key soil processes. Building upon this idea, we sought to understand the impacts of agricultural management on ant communities in the Orinoco River Basin of eastern Colombia and to identify species that could be used as indicators of soil-based ecosystem services. Ants were collected and identified from the soil and litter layer within 75 fields (nine TSBF sub-samples along a transect in each field) divided among five common agricultural land uses in the region: 1) annual crops (maize, soy and rice), 2) rubber plantations, 3) oil palm plantations, 4) improved pastures (based on Brachiaria spp.), and 5) semi-natural savannas. As expected, land management was found to greatly influence ant communities. Improved pastures showed the highest species richness (6.9 species per transect) and semi-natural savanna the greatest abundance of ants (145 individuals per transect). Within each of these fields a suite of soil and agroecosystem characteristics were measured and combined into synthetic indicators of five soil-based ecosystem services: 1) nutrient provision, 2) water storage and regulation, 3) maintenance of soil structure, 4) climate regulation services and 5) soil biodiversity and biological activity. Ant species were then associated with these synthetic indicators using the IndVal method to identify indicator species for each of the five consolidated ecosystem services measured. In total, 14 indicator species were identified and found to be significantly associated with either the high or low provision of each of the five services. The development of such bioindicators offers a rapid and relatively inexpensive tool to facilitate land management and policy decisions in this biologically diverse and rapidly changing region of Colombia.

Exploring the knowledge landscape of ecosystem services assessments in Mediterranean agroecosystems: Insights for future research

Abstract Ecosystem service assessment has recently become one of the most important scientific frameworks to address the challenges inherent in environmental management, particularly those in agroecosystem management. Agroecosystems provide important ecosystem services to society including provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. However, the Mediterranean Basin agroecosystems have suffered the effects of two drivers of change, rural abandonment and intensification of agrarian practices, which threaten multifunctional landscapes and erode the capacity to deliver ecosystem services. In this study, we explored the knowledge landscape of ecosystem services research throughout the Mediterranean Basin's agroecosystems through a review of 165 publications. We (1) analyzed the current research state and trends; (2) examined the existing research gaps and biases; and (3) evaluated the associations between factors related to the methodologies employed, the ecosystem services analyzed, and the agroecosystem characteristics. Our results indicated that monetary approaches and provisioning ecosystem services are attracting most of the scientific attention, possibly jeopardizing the regulating and cultural services provided by these ecosystems. Moreover, results suggested that there is a lack of integrated approaches that consider the three dimensions of sustainability, i.e. biophysical, sociocultural and monetary. Most studies did not use primary data or involve stakeholders in the assessments and scarce evidence was available regarding ecosystem services provided under different management alternatives. Finally, specific relationships were detected between the methodologies applied, the ecosystem services assessed and the characteristics of the agroecosystem. We argue these gaps might have potential implications in current scientific and political debates, such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the Common Agricultural Policy reform. We therefore provide recommendations for research and policy-making, agendas.

Energy flow analysis of straw-return agricultural modes in the Central Shaanxi Plain

Energy is not only the power base,but also a basic function of ecological systems.Analyzing the characteristics of agro-ecosystems via energy flow analysis can ensure comprehensive component objectivity.The energy output level of any agro-ecosystem is an energy flow key index.Using the characteristic indexes of energy flow,different function characteristics of agro-ecosystems were analyzed.The 21st century view emphasized the coordinated development of resources,environment,economy and society.This eventually gave rise to a new mode of sustainable agricultural production,promoted mainly through straw return to farmlands.Although straw return may not make full use of crop straw resources,it reduces environmental pollution.It is therefore the inevitable mode of sustainable economy development in the Central Shaanxi Plain(CSP).To build further understanding into the energy-flow characteristics of wheat/corn straw-return mode in farmland ecosystems,eco-theory and system analysis were used to investigate different straw-return modes in CSP.Then supplemental energy inputs,outputs and transformation efficiencies of different straw-return modes were analyzed and discussed.The results showed that total energy input(7.12×1010 J.hm 2),organic energy input(5.44×1010 J.hm 2),organic/inorganic energy value(3.25) and CREF(0.76) of WH-MC mode(wheat high stubble mulching and straw returning to field plus maize straw chopping and direct returning to field) were highest.While WC-MC mode(both wheat and maize straw chopping and direct returning to field) was the effective in solar energy use(0.669%),WN-MN mode(no turning of both wheat and maize straw) was the most in energy conversion(6.05).In summary,the energy analysis of the functions of the straw-return modes produced better results than the no-straw-return modes.The WH-MC mode had the highest integrated score(0.792).This showed that WH-MC was the optimal mode with the highest eco-efficient plant production,recommended for promotion and wide adoption in CSP.

Characterization of the Different Abaca-Based Agro-Ecosystems in Leyte, Philippines

This study was conducted to provide baseline data on the agro-ecosystem characteristics needed by the development planners and policymakers specifically for under-utilized and neglected crops, such as abaca, at the east-central portion of the Philippine archipelago. The results revealed that the most common companion crops for abaca were anii (Erythrina fusca), narra (Pterocarpus indicus), coconut, fruit trees, and other forest trees. Among the areas sampled, biomass and fiber yield performance of abaca ranges from 200 kg/ha to 1,200 kg/ha, which is far below the potential and attainable yield. These areas were located along the central mountain range of the island (i.e., Leyte Cordillera). The main consumers of the produced raw fiber were the two pulping plants in the province, which can be considered as an advantage to those farms that are located nearest to it. Among the areas surveyed, soil samples had loam texture that ranged from sandy loam to clay loam and were slightly acidic, with pH of 4.44–6.38. Samples in the mountain area of Ormoc city (i.e., Site No. 03) showed the lowest pH, higher percentage of organic carbon, and lower extractable phosphorus. However, among the areas surveyed, more than three-fourths had higher exchangeable bases that resulted to higher cation exchange capacity values.

Managing diffuse environmental contamination from agricultural pesticides: An economic perspective on issues and policy options, with particular reference to Europe

There are widely held concerns over environmental contamination from agricultural pesticide applications, and a current policy objective in many Western European countries is to reduce usage levels. However, it appears that existing arrangements to control usage, and thence contamination, are inadequate to achieve the levels of environmental quality currently demanded; policy innovation and reform are needed. This review examines some of the problems of controlling pesticide contamination, and the potential policy instruments for achieving pesticide use reduction for environmental improvement. Particular attention is given to the role of market mechanisms to achieve environmental policy aims, especially through the introduction of financial incentives for producers to switch to integrated pest management practices involving the use of less pesticides. Instruments such as input taxes seem administratively and politically feasible, but need careful design and implementation if environmental objectives with regard to pesticides are to be achieved. Environmental economics can make an important contribution to practical agri-environmental resource management if linked with more explicit acknowledgement of the characteristics of agro-ecosystems.