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AGROECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
Agroecological Economics
Sustainability and Biodiversity
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By
Paul Wojtkowski

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.

Audience
agricultural and environmental engineers; ecologists; economists; agribusiness professionals; nature organizations; academics

Contents


Preface


Chapter 1 - Introduction
Ecology and agroecology Traditional subdivisions Agroecological directions The philosophical dilemma Economic directions The economic options Measurement Intangibles Intuitiveness

Chapter 2 – Lead-up Agrobiomonics
Essential resources The limiting resource Nutrient profiles Agroecological niches Governance Plant-plant Ecosystem Analytical ratios Output Costs Risk

Chapter 3 - Vector Theory
Vectors The base Agroecological vectors Genetic improvement Varietal Microbial Agrobiodiversity Biodiversity (facilitative associations) Rotational Cross or inter-plot Location Physical land modifications Ex-farm inputs Environmental setting Allying vectors Design Design variables Agrotechnologies Principal mode Auxiliary Add-ons Objectives Optimization

Chapter 4 - Agrobiodiversity
Applications Underlying biodynamics Yield gains Interception Conversion Cost reductions Risk abatement Climate Insect and plant diseases Relevant guidelines Economic measures Revenue-enhanced LER Production possibilities curve Ratio lines The PPC Design variables Species Planting density Spatial pattern Temporal adjustments Density, diversity, disarray, duration The non-harvest option Associated agrotechnologies Monocultural Pure Varietal/ genus Productive intercropping Simple mixes Strip cropping(seasonal) Barrier or boundary Complex agroecosystems (without trees) Productive agroforestry Isolated tree Alley cropping (treerow) Strip cropping(mixed tree) Agroforestry intercropping Shade systems (light) Agroforests

Chapter 5 - Biodiversity
Applications Underlying biodynamics Yields Cost reductions Substitutable inputs DPCs Cut-and-carry Risk abatement Rain impact Climate Insects and diseases Relevant guidelines Economic measures CER LER and RVT-adjusted CER Illustrated Adjusted CER curves Economic orientation ratio Design variables Specific interaction zones Spatial Patterns Timing Pruning Associated agrotechnologies Perceived monocultures Facilitative intercropping Simple mixes Strip cropping Boundary Covercrops Facilitative agroforestry Parkland Protective barrier Alley cropping (hedgerow) Strip cropping (woody) Crop over tree Physical support systems Shade systems (heavy)

Chapter 6 – Rotations
Applications Underlying biodynamics Yield gains Temporal DPCs Fallows Cost reductions Risk abatement Climate Insects and diseases Relevant guidelines Economic measures Sustainability Ordering Design variables Delayed sowing Planting Associated agrotechnolgies Single rotations Series rotations Overlapping cycles Taungyas Simple Extended Multi-stage End stage Continual

Chapter 7 – Genetic, Varietal and Locational
Applications Underlying Biodynamics Varietal selection Locational selection Relevant guidelines Economic measures Design Variables Micro-location Macro-location Associated agrotechnologies Elevation Scattering

Chapter 8 – Land Modifications
Applications Underlying Biodynamics Water dynamics Runoff Drought Flooding Temperatures Relevant guidelines Economic measures Design variables Associated agrotechnologies Absorption zones/ micro-catchments Infiltration contours Terraces Stone Earthen Progressive Paddies Ponds Gabons Waterbreaks Cajetes Water channels Mounds and beds Stone clusters

Chapter 9 - Cross-Plot Influences
Applications Underlying biodynamics Yield gains Agroecosystem properties Interface and spillover theory Cost control Relevant guidelines Economic measures Design variables Interfaces Buffer species Associated agrotechnologies Windbreaks Anti-insect barriers Habitats/ corridors Riparian buffers Firebreaks Living fences

Chapter 10 – Ex-farm Inputs
Applications Underlying biodynamics Yield gains Cost reductions Weed control Risk abatement Climate Insects and diseases Economic measures Marginal Gains Substitutions Truant inputs Design variables Nutrients Spot applications (row placement) Timing Insects Irrigation Flood Spray Drip Associated agrotechnologies

Chapter 11 - Microbial and Environmental Setting
Applications Underlying biodynamics Yield gains Cost reductions Risk abatement Water dynamics Insects and plant diseases Temperatures Relevant guidelines Economic measures Design variables Associated agrotechnologies Composting Tillage Traps Bird and bats

Chapter 12 - Single-Plot Design
DAPs Task ordering or layering Essential nutrients Water Insects Weeds Temperatures Erosion Multi-tasking Design economics Principal-mode agrotechnologies Ratios Guidelines Add-ons Cross-harmony Economic orientation Input efficiency Post-design screening Cultural Environment Profit and loss

Chapter 13 - Multi-Plot Analysis
Inter-plot coordination Revenue and cost orientation Pitfalls Economic measures LLER LEOR Risk Environmental objectives Indices Mimicry Aesthetic objectives Cultural agroecology Farm landscape patterns Blocks Strips Groups Pivot Circular Scattered

Chapter 14 - Agrotechnological Expansions
Feed systems Silvopastoral Pastures Pastures with trees Forage trees with pasture Forage trees alone Aqua-agriculture Entomo-agriculture Avian-agriculture Semi-husbandry Support systems Seasonal support Perennial support Vine over tree Tree over vine Vine within a canopy Supplementary vine additions Root support systems Riparian Buffers Complex agroecosystems Natural compatibility Variations Homegardens Shrub gardens Forest gardens Management Economics Case studies The green revolution Medieval agriculture Hillside maize A vector search

Chapter 15 - Analytical Refinements
LER variations Row-based Temporal Event-enumerated Continuums The PPC Essential resource economics Resource hypotheses The counter view Spatial patterns Spatial theory Disarray Patterned disarray Temporal economics Multi-participant agroecosystems Intuitive and intangible Diagnosis Bioeconomic modeling

Chapter 16 – Summary
The paradigm Vectors The agrotechnologies Outcomes vs. agrotechnologies Policy Agroecological economics Conclusion

Author Index References


Bibliographic details
Paperback, 320 pages, publication date: DEC-2007
ISBN-13: 978-0-12-374117-2
ISBN-10: 0-12-374117-3
Imprint: ACADEMIC PRESS

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Last update: 25 Nov 2009
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