Sustainable Agroecosystem Management: Integrating Ecology, Economics, and Society: 14 (Advances in Agroecology) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1420052144 ISBN 13: 9781420052145

Publisher: CRC Press, 2009

Synopsis

Emphasizes Centrality of the Ecosystem Perspective

Sustainable management of agroecosystems in the 21st century faces unprecedented challenges. Protecting the environment while feeding a burgeoning population that could reach nine billion by mid-century, preserving the world’s biodiversity, and sustaining agriculture in an increasingly urban world is a massive undertaking.

Avoiding simple prescriptions for the application of ecological principles to agriculture, Sustainable Agroecosystem Management: Integrating Ecology, Economics, and Society emphasizes the continued centrality of the ecosystem perspective, and the need to integrate ecological, economic, and social considerations in agroecosystem science and management.

Truly Interdisciplinary in Scope

With contributions from distinguished leaders in the field of sustainable agriculture, this authoritative book first delineates the present and future challenges agroecosystems face. It then reviews the important contributions made by Dr. Ben Stinner, a pioneer in the field of agroecosystem ecology. Providing historical background of attempts to connect the ecological and agricultural sciences, this standard-setting resource highlights recent efforts to integrate natural and social science perspectives. It also examines the challenges for developing integrated approaches to agroecosystem management.

Through a variety of case studies with global applications, the text makes it abundantly clear that purely technological approaches are insufficient for solving the food systems problems of the future. It explores practical innovative strategies, policies, and research needs necessary to develop management approaches that emphasize whole system productivity, diversify agricultural operations, and sustain multiple functions, including ecological integrity.

About this title

Review:

... a fascinating overview of how Utopia might be achieved and the scholarship continues to be impressive: Moses, Aristotle and VIrgil are all name-checked ... . Further chapters offer a rich mix of case studies and conceptual ideas. The book is true to its title and despite some inevitable overlaps, forms a satisfying whole. -S.J. Ramsden, in Experimental Agriculture, (2010), Volume 46 (3) This timely work shows us how the early concept of an agricultural ecosystem has evolved into a focus on the complexity of sustainable agroecosystem management. Concepts, principles, ecological foundations, and multifunctionality provide food for thought and action. This book takes agroecology to the next level. -Stephen Gliessman, Alfred and Ruth Heller Professor of Agroecology, University of California, Santa Cruz Today, agriculture contributes to climate change and loss of biodiversity while placing the world's food system in peril by its dependence on depleting fossil fuels. Agriculture could sequester atmospheric carbon, produce energy sustainably, and restore habitat-but only through a profound transformation of farming practices. This book represents the leading edge of thinking and research on the main issues in this urgently needed transition. It is required reading for anyone involved in agriculture at any level. -Richard Heinberg, Author, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute A superb compendium of the latest thinking on ecologically sound food production written for scholars, growers, and serious laypersons alike. In the world of agroecology, growing food sustainably is something in which all of us can and should be involved. This book helps prepare us for that involvement." -Kurt Cobb, Energy and Environmental Writer, Resource Insights, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

Synopsis:

"Sustainable Agroecosystem Management: Integrating Ecology, Economics and Society" examines the challenges for developing integrated approaches to the management of agricultural ecosystems. Providing historical background of attempts to bridge the ecological and agricultural sciences, this book highlights recent efforts to integrate natural and social science perspectives. Through various case studies with global applications, the text explores practical innovative strategies, policies, and research needs for emphasizing whole system productivity, diversification of agricultural operations, and management of agricultural systems that sustain multiple functions including ecological integrity.

About this edition

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1420052144
• ISBN 13: 9781420052145
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 322
• Editor: Bohlen Patrick J., House Gar