Agroecological Economics
Sustainability and Biodiversity
- 1st Edition - December 18, 2007
- Latest edition
- Author: Paul Wojtkowski
- Language: English
Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design, development, and management of sustainable agricultural systems. Agroecological ec… Read more
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Description
Description
Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design, development, and management of sustainable agricultural systems. Agroecological economics, a subsection of agricultural economics, evaluates the ecological consequences of agricultural methods on the economic scale. Agroecological economics considers green engineering as a means of measurement.
As the environmental movement unfolds, the importance of biodiversity and long-term sustainability are indisputable. Progress depends on determining the economic viability of terrestrial agroecosystems. What is lacking is the analysis needed to bring biodiverse and sustainable systems to fruition. Agroecological Economics analyzes the current topics that must be addressed in order to provide sustainable agricultural systems. It explains the economics of land-use ecology with emphasis on changing over from a conventional model of agriculture to environmentally- and ecologically-friendly models and the financial incentives that are important to these practices.
Key features
Key features
- Analyzes agricultural solutions with economic testing
- Includes a complete analysis of recent biodiversity-based research with valuable new economic methodologies
- Provides various applications to mitigate the problems which have economic and ecological effects on agroecosystems
- Offers applications of ecologically-sound land-use practices in production and manufacturing
Readership
Readership
Agricultural and environmental engineers; ecologists; economists; agribusiness professionals; nature organizations; academics
Table of contents
Table of contents
Chapter 1 - IntroductionEcology and agroecologyTraditional subdivisionsAgroecological directionsThe philosophical dilemmaEconomic directionsThe economic optionsMeasurementIntangiblesIntuitivenessChapter 2 ? Lead-up AgrobiomonicsEssential resourcesThe limiting resourceNutrient profilesAgroecological nichesGovernancePlant-plantEcosystemAnalytical ratiosOutputCostsRiskChapter 3 - Vector TheoryVectorsThe baseAgroecological vectorsGenetic improvementVarietalMicrobialAgrobiodiversityBiodiversity (facilitative associations) RotationalCross or inter-plotLocationPhysical land modificationsEx-farm inputsEnvironmental settingAllying vectorsDesignDesign variablesAgrotechnologiesPrincipal modeAuxiliaryAdd-onsObjectivesOptimizationChapter 4 - AgrobiodiversityApplicationsUnderlying biodynamicsYield gainsInterceptionConversionCost reductionsRisk abatementClimateInsect and plant diseasesRelevant guidelinesEconomic measuresRevenue-enhanced LERProduction possibilities curveRatio linesThe PPCDesign variablesSpeciesPlanting densitySpatial patternTemporal adjustmentsDensity, diversity, disarray, durationThe non-harvest optionAssociated agrotechnologiesMonoculturalPureVarietal/ genusProductive intercroppingSimple mixesStrip cropping(seasonal)Barrier or boundary Complex agroecosystems (without trees)Productive agroforestryIsolated treeAlley cropping (treerow)Strip cropping(mixed tree)Agroforestry intercroppingShade systems (light)AgroforestsChapter 5 - BiodiversityApplicationsUnderlying biodynamicsYieldsCost reductionsSubstitutable inputsDPCsCut-and-carryRisk abatementRain impactClimateInsects and diseasesRelevant guidelinesEconomic measuresCERLER and RVT-adjusted CERIllustratedAdjusted CER curvesEconomic orientation ratioDesign variablesSpecific interaction zonesSpatial PatternsTimingPruningAssociated agrotechnologiesPerceived monoculturesFacilitative intercroppingSimple mixesStrip croppingBoundaryCovercrops Facilitative agroforestryParklandProtective barrierAlley cropping (hedgerow)Strip cropping (woody)Crop over treePhysical support systemsShade systems (heavy)Chapter 6 ? RotationsApplicationsUnderlying biodynamicsYield gainsTemporal DPCsFallowsCost reductionsRisk abatementClimateInsects and diseasesRelevant guidelinesEconomic measuresSustainabilityOrderingDesign variablesDelayed sowingPlantingAssociated agrotechnolgiesSingle rotationsSeries rotationsOverlapping cyclesTaungyasSimpleExtendedMulti-stageEnd stageContinualChapter 7 ? Genetic, Varietal and LocationalApplicationsUnderlying BiodynamicsVarietal selectionLocational selectionRelevant guidelines Economic measuresDesign VariablesMicro-locationMacro-locationAssociated agrotechnologiesElevationScatteringChapter 8 ? Land ModificationsApplicationsUnderlying BiodynamicsWater dynamicsRunoffDroughtFloodingTemperaturesRelevant guidelinesEconomic measuresDesign variablesAssociated agrotechnologiesAbsorption zones/ micro-catchmentsInfiltration contoursTerracesStoneEarthenProgressivePaddiesPondsGabonsWaterbreaksCajetesWater channelsMounds and bedsStone clustersChapter 9 - Cross-Plot InfluencesApplicationsUnderlying biodynamicsYield gainsAgroecosystem propertiesInterface and spillover theoryCost controlRelevant guidelinesEconomic measuresDesign variablesInterfacesBuffer speciesAssociated agrotechnologiesWindbreaksAnti-insect barriersHabitats/ corridorsRiparian buffersFirebreaksLiving fencesChapter 10 ? Ex-farm InputsApplicationsUnderlying biodynamicsYield gainsCost reductionsWeed controlRisk abatementClimateInsects and diseasesEconomic measuresMarginal GainsSubstitutionsTruant inputsDesign variablesNutrientsSpot applications (row placement)TimingInsectsIrrigationFloodSprayDripAssociated agrotechnologiesChapter 11 - Microbial and Environmental SettingApplicationsUnderlying biodynamicsYield gainsCost reductionsRisk abatementWater dynamicsInsects and plant diseasesTemperaturesRelevant guidelinesEconomic measures Design variablesAssociated agrotechnologiesCompostingTillageTrapsBird and batsChapter 12 - Single-Plot DesignDAPsTask ordering or layeringEssential nutrientsWaterInsectsWeedsTemperaturesErosionMulti-taskingDesign economicsPrincipal-mode agrotechnologiesRatiosGuidelinesAdd-onsCross-harmonyEconomic orientationInput efficiencyPost-design screeningCulturalEnvironmentProfit and lossChapter 13 - Multi-Plot AnalysisInter-plot coordinationRevenue and cost orientationPitfallsEconomic measuresLLERLEORRiskEnvironmental objectivesIndicesMimicryAesthetic objectivesCultural agroecologyFarm landscape patternsBlocksStripsGroupsPivotCircularScatteredChapter 14 - Agrotechnological ExpansionsFeed systemsSilvopastoralPasturesPastures with treesForage trees with pastureForage trees aloneAqua-agricultureEntomo-agricultureAvian-agricultureSemi-husbandrySupport systemsSeasonal supportPerennial supportVine over treeTree over vineVine within a canopySupplementary vine additionsRoot support systemsRiparian BuffersComplex agroecosystemsNatural compatibilityVariations HomegardensShrub gardensForest gardensManagementEconomicsCase studiesThe green revolutionMedieval agricultureHillside maizeA vector searchChapter 15 - Analytical RefinementsLER variationsRow-basedTemporalEvent-enumeratedContinuumsThe PPCEssential resource economicsResource hypothesesThe counter viewSpatial patterns Spatial theoryDisarrayPatterned disarrayTemporal economicsMulti-participant agroecosystemsIntuitive and intangibleDiagnosisBioeconomic modelingChapter 16 ? SummaryThe paradigmVectorsThe agrotechnologiesOutcomes vs. agrotechnologiesPolicyAgroecological economicsConclusion
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: July 28, 2010
- Language: English
About the author
About the author
PW
Paul Wojtkowski
As a leading proponent and analyst, Dr. Paul Wojtkowski continues to layout a vision of what agroecology could be; both as an academic discipline and in how agriculture is practiced. His six previous books have affirmed the underlying motives, theories, and concepts. They have also proposed a large tally of quintessentially nature-friendly, farming practices. Although these efforts are deep in outlook, e.g., encompassing agriculture, forestry, and agroforestry, and broad in geographic scope, more insight is needed.
Having observed agriculture in six continents and over 70 countries, Dr. Wojtkowski has seen what works and what doesn't. As a trained economist with advanced degrees in both agricultural and forest economics, he is able to take the next step; that of presenting agroecology as a fully-fledged science complete with its own economic underpinnings.
Affiliations and expertise
Leading Proponent and AnalystView book on ScienceDirect
View book on ScienceDirect
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