The book investigates the global industrial food system using the classic american dinner as a template and provides actionable solutions to start ripple effects of change. Both agroecology and the farming systems concepts are quite holistic approaches to the functioning of farms. It is the science and practice of applying ecological concepts, principles and knowledge to the design and management of sustainable farms. The advances in agroecology series focuses on the study of agriculture and agricultural processes from an ecological perspective, which emphasizes interrelationships between living organisms and their environment. In agroecology in action, keith douglass warner describes agroecology, an emerging scientific response to. Agroecology is the study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems. With the inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design, students will gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic, and. Agroecology norges miljo og biovitenskapelige universitet nmbu. Agroecology key concepts, principles and practices. Understanding of natural and cultural phenomena across the entire food.
The field of agroecology is not associated with any one particular method of. Each chapter of agroecology has been enriched and updated with the latest research results from around the world. The norwegian university of life sciences norwegian. Biodiversity, ecosystem function, and insect pest management in agricultural systems. Using a combined theoretical and practical approach, this collection of work from pioneers in the subject along.
An overview of semesters and modules can be found here. Building upon the ecological foundation of the agroecosystem, agroecology. This book is a collection of chapters, concerning the developments within the agroecology field of study. Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. The principles that make up a system of crop intensification are now spreading through. Agriculture is the nations leading cause of nonpointsource water pollutionrunoffs of pesticides, nutrients, and sediments into streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Pdf agroecology and sustainability of agriculture in. Planting with space the use of finger millet seedlings has shown very positive results in the region of tahtai maichew, near aksum, ethiopia, as has the use of alternative management practices for a number of other crops. With the inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design, students will gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic, and sociological.
Agroecology is more that a traditional scientific discipline because agroecology breaks the frontiers between biophysical sciences and social sciences. Tractors and milking machines replace manual and family labour, soon taken over by a series of mechanised farming tools. Each contribution comes as a separate chapter complete in itself but directly related to the books topics and objectives. The subject of this book is the sustainable agriculture and its. The following is a compilation of responses to my query about a good text for an agroecology course, specifically one that covers the basic ecological principles underlying agricultural production with attention to different agricultural systems and geographic regions. In agroecology in action, keith douglass warner describes agroecology, an emerging scientific. Agroecology the ecology of sustainable food systems, third edition 3rd edition by stephen r. The book makes overwhelmingly clear that a growing movement of african farmer organisations and networks is committed to agroecology as the way forward. Nmbu s research and study programmes are enabling people all over the world to tackle the big, global challenges regarding the environment, sustainable development, how to improve human and animal health, renewable energy sources, food production, and land and resource management. Following the mandatory course pae302, students and their advisor work together to build a roadmap for the students personal learning goals.
It is located at as in akershus, near oslo, and at adamstuen in oslo and has around 5,000 students. Agroecology is getting more and more attention as the most promising way to end world hunger. The norwegian university of life sciences is a public university located in as, norway. However, at this stage, the idea is not to fill the database with cases of.
Agroecology recognizes the value of formal scientific research and of advanced technological innovation. And it relies on deep knowledge of cropping systems and farm ecology. Providing the theoretical and conceptual framework, this second edition focuses on the entire food system rather than just the farm level. The final chapters place the book in a landscape perspective, showing ways to link fieldlevel research to practical problem solving at the human community level. Local cultivars, grown mostly on upland ecosystems andor under rainfed conditions, make up the bulk of the rice produced by asian small farmers. Agroecology for food security and nutrition proceedings of the fao international symposium 1819 september 2014, rome, italy i4729e106. In several cases, the implementation of agroecological practices has grown beyond isolated, local experiences to be employed by evergreater numbers of families and communities over everlarger territories and to engage more people in the processing, distribution, and consumption of agroecologically. Agroecology as a transformative movement has gained momentum in many countries worldwide.
A second important book on agroecology was pub lished by the u. The ecology of sustainable food systems, second edition kindle edition by gliessman, stephen r download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This includes an explicit focus on social and economic dimensions of food systems. Master of agroecology programme structure norges miljo. Agroecology places a strong focus on the rights of women, youth and indigenous peoples. Completely revised, updated, and reworked, the second edition contains new data, new readings, new issues and case. Agroecology theory, controversy and governance springerlink. An ecological basis for the development of alternative agricultural systems for small farmers in the third world. This is agroecology condensed into core concepts and theorems describing how crops relate to each other, the land, and their surroundings. It is also appropriate for extension professionals and scientists engaged in applied research. This separation of interests endured until the 1970s when books and ar. Agroecology and sustainable development agroecology provides a robust set of solutions to the environmental pressures and crises facing agriculture in the 21st century.
Agroecology in action is appropriate for graduate and upper level undergraduate courses. It then offers a vision of a global food system that is sustainable and equitable for all. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. He was formerly working with ciat in colombia and cimmyt in mexico, and has been teaching and conducting research in plant breeding, agroecology, organic farming, land use planning, intercropping, farming systems, and local food systems since 1970. Its very dense and not at all an easy or relaxing read, but the reader will come away with an in depth understanding of agroecology and tons and tons of examples of where and. Altieri university of california, berkeley the concept of sustainable agriculture is a relatively recent response to the decline in the quality of the natural resource base associated with modern agriculture mcisaac and edwards 1994. A point is reached where the central elements become visible, equations distill, and a conceptual apex is reached. The ecology of food systems article pdf available in journal of sustainable agriculture 223. Gleissman 20, guzmancasado et al 20, and political agroecology gonzalez. It also values dialogue and collaboration between researchers, farmers, indigenous communities and historically marginalized groups. Agroecology and rural innovation for development is a comprehensive source for developing sustainable farming systems. To facilitate this process, a seminar session is held in the 2nd and 4th semesters, to connect first and second year students at nmbu, and to discuss thesis topics, methodology and.
Please see the fesia website for more information on the double degree programme, structure and application process single degree option from nmbu norway. The ecology of sustainable food systems, second edition explores environmental factors and complexities affecting agricultural crops and animals. The second edition has been expanded to include the role of animals in sustainable agriculture, the cultural elements of sustainable food systems, and food systems that illustrate the elements of sustainability. Geir lieblein at norwegian university of life sciences nmbu. The book includes scholarly contributions by various authors pertinent to agricultural and biological sciences. Nov, 2015 this document is a summary compiled by twn staff of the main learning points from the lectures given during the training courses, serving as a useful resource booklet on the key concepts, principles and practices of agroecology. The ecology of sustainable food systems, second edition. Advances in agroecology book series soil organic matter in sustainable agriculture advances in agroecology by fred magdoff and ray r. Core courses in agroecology emphasising farming and food systems 30 credits, research methods 5 credits and master thesis seminar 5 credits. Norges miljo og biovitenskapelige universitet, nmbu is a public university located in as, norway. This is a vitally important topic, and this book is its bible, more or less. The latter family can be divided into two perspectives, practical agroecology, which views the practices of agroecoogical food production characterised as local, participatory and actionorientated towards autonomy and sustainability in food production, e. Master of agroecology thesis projects norges miljo og. Agroecology and the search for a truly sustainable agriculture.
Are you concerned about longterm sustainability of agriculture and food systems. Developing the syllabus for an agroecology course raj patel. The relationships between organic farming and agroecology. Agroecology ecological understanding of farming systems bengurion university of the negev prof.
Do you want to work in international teams solving complex problems. The ecology of food and farming systems 5 credits pae301, webbased 2. Pdf preparing students for a complex and dynamic future is a challenge for educators. Study plan you can read more about the courses in nmbu s course catalogue here. Pdf we present a compelling rationale for defining agroecology as the ecology of. Pdf agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. Developing the syllabus for an agroecology course bob st peter, activist and farmer in northern maine, is working on developing a syllabus for an agroecology course. American agriculture has doubled its use of pesticides since the publication of rachel carsons silent spring in 1962. The ecology of sustainable food systems, third edition provides the essential foundation for understanding sustainability in all of its components. The book makes overwhelmingly clear that a growing movement of african farmer organisations and networks is. Providing the theoretical and conceptual framework for this continually evolving field, agroecology. About nmbu norges miljo og biovitenskapelige universitet. Because of the book s critique of traditional means of generating and extending knowledge within the land grant university system, and the promise conveyed.
At the launch event, peggy miars, the president of ifoam organics international, said. Agroecology may have the connotation of a well developed, completed innovation process at taining high standards of agriculture in partnership with nature etc. Nevertheless agroecology has not fully emerged as a scientific discipline yet. The book provides the scientific basis required by students and scientists involved in the theoretical and practical development of sustainable agroecosystems and contributes to a range of disciplines including agriculture, biology, geography, landscape ecology, organic farming, biological control, and global change ecology. Agroecology is the application of ecological concepts and methodological design for longterm enhancement and management of soil fertility and agriculture productivity. Gliessman, alfred heller professor of agroecology, department of environmental studies, university of california, santa cruz. This document is a summary compiled by twn staff of the main learning points from the lectures given during the training courses, serving as a useful resource booklet on the key concepts, principles and practices of agroecology.
We collaborate across disciplines in order to tie agriculture to nature and society. A transdisciplinary, participatory and actionoriented approach is the first book to focus on agroecology as a transdisciplinary, participatory, and actionoriented process. The relationships between organic farming and agroecology bellon, s. In several cases, the implementation of agroecological practices has grown beyond isolated, local experiences to be employed by evergreater numbers of families and communities over everlarger territories and to engage more people in the processing. First, thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Keeping in mind the systems perspective and skills learned in the first semester is essential to writing an appropriate and successful agroecology masters thesis. With this first title published in english we start to cover our debt to the englishspeaking caribbean subregion and to the englishspeaking countries at large. Agroecology has been defined in many ways, in many places, and by many different stakeholders. David 1 1 isara, department of agroecosystems, environment and production, 23 rue jean baldassini, 69364 lyon cedex 07, france 2 inrasad, ur 767 ecodeveloppement, site agroparc, 84914 avignon cedex 9, france. Agroecology stephen r gliessman bok 9780849328459 bokus. Nmbu has exchange agreements with more than 93 universities worldwide, including six nordic, 44 european and eight north. European master of agroecology double degree option in collaboration with fesia france.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading agroecology. Agroecology alternative agriculture organic food and farming comparative analysis interdisciplinarity abstract while acknowledging an extension of agroecology in the organic sector and a growing. Agroecology norges miljo og biovitenskapelige universitet. New emphasis has been placed on such issues as the ecological economics of agriculture, policy changes needed for promoting sustainable agriculture, rural development in the third world, the role of biodiversity in agriculture, and. The two publications were launched in rome, as part of the faos second international symposium on agroecology. The series documents research into the ecological basis of agriculture that maximizes the use of inputs from biological, cultural, and ecological processes. Weil hardcover may 27, 2004 agroforestry in sustainable agricultural systems advances in agroecology by louise e. Bringing ecological principles to bear can suggest new management approaches in agroecosystems.