Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Non-Crop Plants

Ecology and Socioeconomic Potential of the Associated Plant Biodiversity

1st Edition - September 19, 2024
Editors: Roland Ebel, Fabian Menalled
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 6 0 7 6 - 9
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 6 0 7 7 - 6

Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Non-Crops: Ecology and Socio-Economic Potential of Plant Biodiversity is the first book to move beyond the ethnobotanical aspect of under-uti… Read more

Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Non-Crop Plants

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Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Non-Crops: Ecology and Socio-Economic Potential of Plant Biodiversity is the first book to move beyond the ethnobotanical aspect of under-utilized non crops to explore how to optimize their potential. With case studies of edible weeds and non-crop plants from around the world, including Europe and North America, in urban as well as rural settings, the book highlights the global opportunities provided by these plants. The book includes much needed information for identifying, maintaining, and benefitting from these plant species. It is ideal for agricultural professionals, educators, researchers, and students.

Those interested in increasing the diversity of the farming landscape and food systems by means of edible non-crop plants have access to a plethora of information on the ethnobotany of these species. Yet little to no information exists on the agroecological requirements and potential benefits of underutilized edible non-crop plants in the context of sustainable farming systems. This book fills that knowledge gap from identifying edible weeds and non-crop plants, to exploring the ways these plants can be used to economically improve nutrition.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
About the authors
Foreword by Miguel Altieri
Introduction: Edible weeds. A need for an agroecological perspective
1 Why this book? Edible weeds in the context of sustainable and resilient food systems
2 Edible weeds, an untapped agroecological theme
3 Agroecology of edible weeds. Book audience and organization
4 But, what exactly are edible weeds? Why should agroecologists study them?
Section 1: Agroecology of edible weeds
Chapter 1. Ecological principles in the study of edible weeds
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Assembly of weed communities
1.3 Adaptive capacity of edible weeds
1.4 Conclusions and areas for future research
References
Chapter 2. Are we fighting our coevolutionary partners?
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Weeds are more likely to be edible than other noncrop plants
2.3 Edible weeds are more aggressive and widespread than nonedible ones
2.4 Humans are a main force favoring the evolution and distribution of weeds
2.5 Are we fighting our evolutionary partners?
References
Chapter 3. Developing ecological and socioeconomic criteria to diversify weed use for food
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Ecological criteria to diversify weed use for food
3.3 Socioeconomic criteria to diversify weed use for food
3.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 4. Impacts of edible weeds on other components of the associated biodiversity
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Ecological importance of weed communities: services and functions provided by the associated biodiversity
4.3 Beyond weeds: edible noncrop plants in dryland cropping systems
4.4 Conclusions and areas of future research
References
Section 2: Economic and social implications of edible weeds
Chapter 5. Edible weeds as crops
Abstract
5.1 Introduction. How did we get here?
5.2 Crop domestication, ecology, coevolution, and edible noncrop plants
5.3 Weeds or edible noncrop plants? An example from organic horticultural systems
5.4 Selective harvest of edible weeds
5.5 Back to the future. Rediscovering el buen y el mal monte
References
Chapter 6. Edible weeds as a component of a resilient food system
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Definitions
6.3 Food system diversification and resilience
6.4 Increasing food system resilience through edible weeds
6.5 Outlook
References
Chapter 7. Weeds as a social construct
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 What is a weed?
7.3 Edible weeds as social constructs
7.4 Conclusions
References
Chapter 8. The economy of edible weeds: evidence and conceptual framework
Abstract
8.1 Introduction to the economy of edible weeds
8.2 Aiming at a dynamic perspective on the economic importance of edible weeds
8.3 Are edible weeds economically important?
8.4 For whom are edible weeds economically important?
8.5 How is the economic importance of edible weeds measured?
8.6 A social-ecological framework for assessing the economic importance of edible weeds
8.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 9. Teaching edible weeds in higher education: examples from Montana State University’s sustainable food systems program
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 System thinking
9.3 Experimental learning
9.4 Interdisciplinary learning in sustainable food systems education
9.5 Collective action
9.6 Conclusions
References
Section 3: Case studies: agroecology of edible weeds in industrialized and developing regions
Chapter 10. Edible exotic weeds for food security and food sovereignty in NW Patagonia
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Aims
10.3 Indigenous peoples and local communities from NW Patagonia
10.4 Methods
10.5 Exotic edible weeds as a resilience booster of sustainable and sovereign food systems
10.6 Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 11. “Quelites”: the culture of edible weeds in Mexico
Abstract
11.1 Introduction and definition
11.2 Quelite species
11.3 Quelites in Mexican agroecosystems
11.4 Past and present food uses
11.5 Outlook
References
Chapter 12. Descurainia sophia (flixweed): a weed with many uses and ecological roles
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Botanical characteristics, establishment, and growth
12.3 Societal importance
12.4 Impacts on agriculture
12.5 Areas for future research
12.6 Recommendations and conclusions
References
Chapter 13. Itajetik: Agroecology and food culture of edible noncrop plants of the Tseltal Maya in northern Chiapas
Abstract
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Itajetik: edible weeds in a socio-ecological context
13.3 Management of edible noncrop species
13.4 Itajetik processing and consumption
13.5 Conclusions
References
Chapter 14. Food beyond the farm: significance of noncrop plants and mushrooms for food security of highland farming communities in Veracruz, Mexico
Abstract
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Methodology
14.3 Results and discussion
14.4 Conclusions
References
Chapter 15. Agroecology of edible weeds in India
Abstract
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Indian cropping systems and the ecological role of edible weeds
15.3 Weeds in diverse contexts: case studies of edible weeds and their cultural significance
15.4 Future research and recommendations
References
Section 4: Epilogue
Chapter 16. Epilogue: Harnessing the diversity of our fields. Lessons that edible weeds can teach us
References
Index

Roland Ebel

Roland Ebel has a Ph.D. in Organic Farming, from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna His MS in horticulture about the globe artichoke was conducted at the Technical University Munich. Dr. Ebel contributed to the construction of the Intercultural Maya University of Quintana Roo with an emphasis on traditional Mesoamerican farming and participatory research, including “quelites”, associated edible and underutilized plants in traditional agroecosystems. He has worked at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico and taught an online Agroecology course for the University of Massachusetts. He served as a Post-Doc at Montana State University (MSU), developing an adaptable Sustainable Food Systems curriculum, and was appointed Assistant Research Professor there teaching an Ethnobotany undergraduate course, among others. His research focuses on biofertilizers made of food residues, local food systems and their responses to shocks, as well as underutilized plants.

Affiliations and expertise

Assistant Research Professor, Sustainable Food Systems Program ,Dept. of Health and Human Development ,Montana State University, USA

Fabian Menalled

Dr. Menalled is a Professor in Weed Ecology and Sustainable Agriculture at Montana State University (MUS). He received a BS in Biology at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, while conducting agroforestry research at the Biological Station La Selva, Costa Rica. His research and education program at MSU focuses on understanding the ecological underpinnings of sustainable cropping systems. This program embraces a multi-disciplinary approach to address both basic and applied problems facing the agricultural communities. Core areas of research include 1) Patterns and functional importance of the associated biodiversity in conventional and alternative cropping systems, 2) Assessment of multi-trophic pest management interactions in agroecosystems, and 3) Development of integrated weed management practices. As main author or co-author, Dr. Menalled published 114 peer-revied articles, 15 book chapters, two books, and more than 160 technical bulletins and popular press articles.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Weed Ecology and Sustainable Agriculture, Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, USA

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health