Sustainable Crop Production pt. 1

- Ecology

- Ecosystem

- Agroecosystem

- Agroecology

- Agroforestry

- Consumers

- Detritus feeders

- Decomposers

- Ecological pyramid

- Producers

Types of Ecosystem

Ecology

This is the study of the relationship between organisms and their

environment.

Ecosystem

This is the unit of the biosphere in which the community of organisms interacts with the environment

Agroecosystem

This is the model for the functioning of an agricultural system with all its inputs and outputs

Agroecology

This is the application of ecological concepts and principles to the study, design and management of

agricultural systems

Agroecology

It seeks to evaluate the full effect of system inputs and outputs and to use this knowledge to improve these systems

Agroecology

Accounts for the need of both the ecosystem as a whole and the people within it

Agroforestry

It is the interactive use of woody perennials with livestock and annual agricultural crops, either

sequentially or simultaneously

Agroforestry

This is to obtain greater outputs on a sustained basis

Consumers

Organisms that obtain nutrients from other organisms

Consumers

Heterotrophs (cannot synthesize their own food)

Detritus feeders

They live off the wastes and dead remains of other organism

Decomposers

Mainly of fungi and bacteria that are found in decaying organic material

Decomposers

Digest organic materials by secreting digestive enzymes into the environment then liberate nutrients into the environment

Ecological pyramid

This is graphical representation of the energy contained in succeeding levels

Ecological pyramid

Maximum energy at the base (producers) and steadily diminishing amounts at higher levels.

Producers

Produce organic compounds from inorganic compounds

Ecological Pyramid

Storage of energy at each trophic level

Ecological Pyramid

Only 10% of the energy captured by organisms at one trophic level is

converted into the bodies of the organisms in the next

higher level

- Sun

- Producers

- Primary Consumers

- Secondary consumers

- Decomposers

Food Chain

Pollution

When human activities produce more nutrients than the natural cycles or local ecosystems could absorb

Pollution

When humans release into the environment chemicals and other items injurious to life forms

Pollution

Overproduction of substances natural to ecosystems

Eutrophication

Release of large quantities of human and livestock waste into bodies of water

Greenhouse effect/global warming

Combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation

Greenhouse effect/global warming

Excessive release of carbon dioxide

Acid Rain

Oxides of sulfur and nitrogen through burning of fossil fuels

Heavy metal contamination

Mining and industrial processes

- Lowland

- Upland

Categorized by elevation and water availability

Lowland

Slope is less that 18 %

Lowland

Water is contained by levees or dikes

Lowland

Where most of the intensive cropping activities are carried out

Resource degradation

Problems with intensive cropping

systems

Resource degradation

Nutrient loading from fertilizers

Resource degradation

Water contamination from pesticides and herbicides

Resource degradation

Water logging

Resource degradation

Soil salinization

Uplands

Slopes > 18%**

Uplands

Agriculture and forestry are practiced

Uplands

Increasing population

Uplands

Vital support system for lowland and aquatic areas

Uplands

Watersheds provide water for irrigation, power, households

Uplands

Nutrients are brought by water to lowlands

Uplands

Abode to indigenous communities

Uplands

Source of plants/animals for food

Uplands

Large collection of genetic stocks with potentially useful traits

- Increased population

- Increased population

- Need for technologies

Threats to upland areas

- Sloping agricultural land technology 1 (SALT 1)

- Simple agro-livestock technology 2

(SALT 2)

- Sustainable Agroforest Land Technology (SALT 3)

- Small Agrofruit Livelihood Technology (SALT 4)

Technologies developed for upland farming system

- Dramatic rise in agricultural productivity

- Generation of secondary problems

Events leading out of intensive farming

Dramatic rise in agricultural productivity

New technologies

Dramatic rise in agricultural productivity

Mechanization

Dramatic rise in agricultural productivity

Increased chemical use

Dramatic rise in agricultural productivity

Specialization of crops

Dramatic rise in agricultural productivity

Government policies that favored maximizing production

Generation of secondary problems

Topsoil depletion

Generation of secondary problems

Groundwater contamination

Generation of secondary problems

The decline of family farms

Generation of secondary problems

Neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers

Generation of secondary problems

Increasing costs of production

Generation of secondary problems

Disintegration of economic and social condition in rural communities

Sustainable Agriculture

Alternative system of agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture

It promotes productivity

Sustainable Agriculture

It maintains resource base

Sustainable Agriculture

A combination of inter-related soil, crop and livestock production practices

Sustainable Agriculture

Discontinuance or reduced use of external inputs that are potentially harmful to the environment and/or the health of farmers and consumers

Sustainable Agriculture

Emphasis on the use of techniques that

integrate and are adapted to local natural processes

- Environmental health

- Economic Profitability

- Social and Economic Equity

Three main goals integrated in Sustainable Agriculture

- Responsible planning and management of resources

- Human resources stewardship

- Land and natural resources stewardship

Stewardship in SA

Responsible planning and management of resources

For present and future generations

Responsible planning and management of resources

For both human and natural resources

Human resources stewardship

Consideration of social responsibilities

Human resources stewardship

Working conditions of laborers

Human resources stewardship

The needs of rural communities

Human resources stewardship

Consumer health and safety

Land and natural resources stewardshiP

Long-term maintenance and enhancement of

land and natural resources

Sustainable agriculture

System approach in order to understand sustainability

Interconnections

SA explores _________________ between farming and environmental aspects

Interdisciplinary

SA is a _________________ approach