Agroecology : The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Third Edition

Providing the theoretical and conceptual framework for this growing field, 'Agroecology' develops the understanding of environmental factors and complexities affecting agricultural crops and animals. --Provided by publisher. Abstract: Providing the theoretical and conceptual framework for this growing field, 'Agroecology' develops the understanding of environmental factors and complexities affecting agricultural crops and animals. Read more... Content: Sec. I. Introduction to agroecology. Case for fundamental change in agriculture Agroecology and the agroecosystem concept -- Sec. II. Plants and abiotic factors of the environment. The plant Light Temperature Humidity and rainfall Wind Soil Water in the soil Fire -- Sec. III. A more complete autecological perspective. Biotic factors The environmental complex Heterotrophic organisms -- Sec. IV. System-level interactions. Population ecology of agroecosystems Genetic resources in agroecosystems Species interactions in crop communities Agroecosystem diversity Disturbance, succession, and agroecosystem management Animals in agroecosystems Energetics of agroecosystems Landscape diversity -- Sec. V. The transition to sustainability. Converting to ecologically based management Indicators of sustainability -- Sec. VI. Bringing about a sustainable world food system. Agriculture, society, and agroecology Community and culture in the remaking of the food system From sustainable agroecosystems to a sustainable food system. PRAISE FOR THE SECOND EDITION:"It is clear, insightful, well-illustrated and referenced, and the 21 chapters contain many useful case studies. It deserves to be in every library, and is a pleasure to read. This is a valuable manual, and vital for all concerned with learning and teaching in agricultural courses. It deserves to be widely used."-Jules Pretty OBE, Experimental Agriculture, Vol. 43 (4),2007"The author clearly is an authority in the field of agro-ecology and teaches on the subject. ... Agronomists and biologists, as well as general scholars and people interested by sustainability as an attitude or life style wi11learn about how to put principles into (cropping and whole food chain) practice. All in all: a good read!"-Patrick Van Damme, University of Gent, Economic Botany, 63 (4),2009 Chapter 16: Species Interactions in Crop CommunitiesChapter 17: Agroecosystem Diversity; Chapter 18: Disturbance, Succession, and Agroecosystem Management; Chapter 19: Animals in Agroecosystems; Chapter 20: Energetics of Agroecosystems; Chapter 21: Landscape Diversity; Chapter 22: Converting to Ecologically Based Management; Chapter 23: Indicators of Sustainability; Chapter 24: Agriculture, Society, and Agroecology; Chapter 25: Community and Culture in the Remaking of the Food System; Chapter 26: From Sustainable Agroecosystems to a Sustainable Food System; Glossary; References; Back Cover Front Cover; Contents; Foreword; Preface; Author; Recommendations for Using This Textbook; Chapter 1: Case for Fundamental Change in Agriculture; Chapter 2: Agroecology and the Agroecosystem Concept; 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; Chapter 13: Heterotrophic Organisms; Chapter 14: Population Ecology of Agroecosystems; Chapter 15: Genetic Resources in Agroecosystems

Agroecology is a science, a productive practice, and part of a social movement that is at the forefront of transforming food systems to sustainability. Building upon the ecological foundation of the agroecosystem, Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Third Edition provides the essential foundation for understanding sustainability i