The ecological role of biodiversity in agroecosystems

Abstract

Increasingly research suggests that the level of internal regulation of function in agroecosystems is largely dependent on the level of plant and animal biodiversity present. In agroecosystems, biodiversity performs a variety of ecological services beyond the production of food, including recycling of nutrients, regulation of microclimate and local hydrological processes, suppression of undesirable organisms and detoxification of noxious chemicals. In this paper the role of biodiversity in securing crop protection and soil fertility is explored in detail. It is argued that because biodiversity mediated renewal processes and ecological services are largely biological, their persistence depends upon the maintenance of biological integrity and diversity in agroecosystems. Various options of agroecosystem management and design that enhance functional biodiversity in crop fields are described.

Effects of cereal cover crops on the main insect pests in Spanish olive orchards

“…Insect pest infestations at the Weld scale are known to be strongly aVected by the characteristics of the surrounding landscape (Altieri 1999) and their inXuence often overcomes the eVects of farming management (Purtauf et al 2005). In this sense, Boccaccio et al (2008) suggest that landscape characteristics aVect functional biodiversity also in well-structured agroecosystems such as the olive groves.…”

Spatio-temporal analysis of crop rotations and crop sequence patterns in Northern Germany: potential implications on plant health and crop protection

“…• inclusion of breaking phases to decrease population dynamics of pests and weeds (Cardina et al 2002, Liebman & Dyck 1993, Kirkegaard et al 2008); • providing better nutritional conditions for crop growth due to a suitable pre-crop (Soon & Clayton 2002, Stanger et al 2008); • optimizing farm income and labour allocation (Castellazzi et al 2007, Fraser 2006); • providing a key element of agroecology and biodiversity on farm and landscape level (Altieri 1999, McLaughlin & Mineau 1995.…”

Food Sustainability Challenges in the Developing World

“…This linkage is of immense help to predict changes in weather conditions and the surrounding environment (Altieri 1999;Bàrberi et al 2010;Bengtsson 1998;Power 2010). When it comes to minimizing the damage done to biodiversity, it has been opined that limiting various human necessities from land use as well as integrating the conservation ideas and policies affecting a food system will be the vital factors in restricting the impact on biodiversity, and thus enhancing global food production (Phalan et al 2011).…”

“…Today, there is much criticism and public concern about the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and the presence of their residues, which has led to a focus on organic farming. Various types of chemicals used in farms not only are expensive but also have wide implications for the environment, animal and human health and food quality and safety when they enter the food chain (Altieri 1999;Dorne and Fink-Gremmels 2013). Organic agriculture influences the impact of the nitrogen cycle, as chemical fertilizers are not used.…”