Agroecology : The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Second Edition

Front Cover -- Foreword -- Preface to the Second Edition -- Preface to the First Edition -- Author -- Recommendations for Using This Textbook -- Table of Contents -- Section I. Introduction to Agroecology -- Chapter 1. The Need for Sustainable Food Production Systems -- Chapter 2. The Agroecosystem Concept -- Section II. Plants and Environmental Factors -- Chapter 3. The Plant -- Chapter 4. Light -- Chapter 5. Temperature -- Chapter 6. Humidity and Rainfall -- Chapter 7. Wind -- Chapter 8. Soil -- Chapter 9. Water in the Soil -- Chapter 10. Fire -- Chapter 11. Biotic Factors -- Chapter 12. The Environmental Complex -- Section III. System-Level Interactions -- Chapter 13. The Population Ecology of Agroecosystems -- Chapter 14. Genetic Resources in Agroecosystems -- Chapter 15. Species Interactions in Crop Communities -- Chapter 16. Agroecosystem Diversity and Stability -- Chapter 17. Disturbance, Succession, and Agroecosystem Management -- Chapter 18. The Energetics of Agroecosystems -- Chapter 19. Animals in Agroecosystems -- Section IV. The Transition to Sustainability -- Chapter 20. Converting to Ecologically Based Management -- Chapter 21. Indicators of Sustainability -- Chapter 22. Landscape Diversity and Agroecosystem Management -- Chapter 23. Culture, Community, and Sustainability -- Chapter 24. From Sustainable Agroecosystems to Sustainable Food Systems -- References -- Glossary -- Index -- Back Cover.;INTRODUCTION TO AGROECOLOGYThe Need for Sustainable Food Production SystemsThe Agroecosystem Concept PLANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS The Plant Light TemperatureHumidity and RainfallWind SoilWater in the SoilFireBiotic Factors The Environmental Complex SYSTEM-LEVEL INTERACTIONSThe Population Ecology of AgroecosystemsGenetic Resources in Agroecosystems Species Interactions in Crop CommunitiesAgroecosystem Diversity and StabilityDisturbance, Succession, and Agroecosystem ManagementThe Energetics of AgroecosystemsAnimals in AgroecosystemsTHE TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABILITY Converting to Ecologically Based ManagementIndicators of SustainabilityLandscape Diversity and Agroecosystem ManagementCommunity, Culture, and Sustainability From Sustainable Agroecosystems to Sustainable Food SystemsGlossary Index.

Providing the theoretical and conceptual framework for this continually evolving field, Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Second Edition explores environmental factors and complexities affecting agricultural crops and animals. Completely revised, updated, and reworked, the second edition contains new data, new readings, new issues and case studies, and new options. It includes two completely new chapters, one on the role of livestock animals in agroecosystems and one on the cultural and community aspects of sustainable food systems.

The author clearly delineates the importance of using an ecosystem framework for determining if a particular agricultural practice, input, or management decision contributes or detracts from sustainability. He explains how the framework provides the ecological basis for the functioning of the chosen management strategy over the long-term. He also examines system level interactions, stressing the need for understanding the emergent qualities of populations, communities, and ecosystems and their roles in sustainable agriculture. Using examples of farming systems in a broad array of ecological conditions, the book demonstrates how to use an ecosystem approach to design and manage agroecosystems for sustainability.

The author clearly delineates the importance of using an ecosystem framework for determining if a particular agricultural practice, input, or management decision contributes or detracts from sustainability. He explains how the framework provides the ecological basis for the functioning of the chosen management strategy over the long-term. He also examines system level interactions, stressing the need for understanding the emergent qualities of populations, communities, and ecosystems and their roles in sustainable agriculture. Using examples of farming systems in a broad array of ecological conditions, the book demonstrates how to use an ecosystem approach to design and manage agroecosystems for sustainability."--Jacket "Providing the theoretical and conceptual framework for this continually evolving field, Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Second Edition explores environmental factors and complexities affecting agricultural crops and animals. Completely revised, updated, and reworked, the second edition contains new data, new readings, new issues and case studies, and new options. It contains two completely new chapters, one on the role of livestock animals in agroecosystems and one on the cultural and community aspects of sustainable food systems. The most significant change in this edition is an explicit focus on topics such as the values, beliefs, and ethics of sustainable food systems This text/reference provides the theoretical and conceptual framework for the study and analysis of agroecosystems. The book will build upon the understanding of the environmental complex and factors of the environment as they affect agricultural crops and animals. On a global scale, agriculture has been very successful in meeting a growing demand for food during the latter half of the twentieth century.