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Agroforestry
Extension
Resources
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 A025 Agroecology - ecological processes in sustainable agriculture
Stephen Gliessman 1998. Catalog no. LA0433, 1998 ISBN/ISSN: 1575040433, 384 pp., $54.95
Website blurb states that this textbook is: "intended to reach a broad national and international
audience and teach the ecological
foundations for sustainable agriculture. It is designed for use in undergraduate-level courses in agroecology
or sustainable agriculture. The
text's grounding in ecological science is solid enough, however, for it to be adapted for use in a basic
ecology course. It is written for
students with some knowledge of the life sciences, yet can be understood by a diligent non-science major.
The book is available in
English, and is currently being translated into Spanish and Portuguese."
Could be a useful background reference for producing extension material.
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For general information about the textboox, visit the website http://www.agroecology.org/
(The site describes itself as: "... an information resource for developing sustainable agroecosystems,
emphasizing international
training, research, and application of agroecological science to solving real world problems. Building
on the first Agroecology textbook,
this site offers agroecological knowledge to anyone concerned with sustainable food systems. (The
web site owners) ...conduct
training courses and intensive workshops on-site in Santa Cruz, California... also provides tools for
understanding principles of
agroecology using a series of case studies, and a glossary of agroecological terms.)
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Order on-line from:
http://www.crcpress.com/us/product.asp?sku=LA0433+&dept%5Fid=1
CONTENTS:
I INTRODUCTION TO AGROECOLOGY
1. The Need for Sustainable Food Production Systems
Practices of Conventional Agriculture
Why Conventional Agriculture Is Not Sustainable
Running Out of Solutions
The Path Toward Sustainability
Special Topic: The History of Agroecology
2. The Agroecosystem Concept
Structure of Natural Ecosystems
Functioning of Natural Ecosystems
Agroecosystems
II. PLANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
3. The Plant
Plant Nutrition
The Plant in its Interaction with the Environment
4. Light
Solar Radiation
The Atmosphere as Filter and Reflector
The Ecological Significance of Light on Earth
Special Topic: Ozone Depletion
Characteristics of Visible Light Exposure
Determinants of Variations in the Light Environment
Photosynthetic Rate
Other Forms of Response to Light
Managing the Light Environment in Agroecosystems
5. Temperature
The Sun as the Source of Heat Energy
Special Topic: Causes and Consequences of Global Warming
Patterns of Temperature Variation on the Earth's Surface
Responses of Plants to Temperature
Microclimate and Agriculture
6. Humidity and Rainfall
Water Vapor in the Atmosphere
Precipitation
Special Topic: Acid Precipitation
Rainfed Agroecosystems
Case Study: Hopi Agriculture
7. Wind
Atmospheric Movement
Local Winds
Direct Effects of Wind on Plants
Other Effects of Wind
Modifying and Harnessing Wind in Agroecosystems
8. Soil
Processes of Soil Formation and Development
Soil Horizons
Soil Characteristics
Soil Nutrients
Soil Organic Matter
Soil Management
Case Study: Soil Management in the Hillside Terrace Systems of Tlaxcala, Mexico
9. Water in the Soil
Movement of Water In to and Out of the Soil
Soil Moisture Availability
Plants' Uptake of Soil Water
Excess Water in the Soil
Case Study: Pre-Hispanic Raised-Field Systems of Quintana Roo, Mexico
Soil Water Deficiency
The Ecology of Irrigation
Optimizing Use of the Water Resource
10. Fire
Fire in Natural Ecosystems
Effects of Fire on Soil
Plant Adaptations to Fire
Fire in Agroecosystems
11. Biotic Factors
The Organism - Organism Perspective
The Organism - Environment Perspective
Allelopathic Modification of the Environment
Special Topic: The History of the Study of Allelopathy
Conclusions
12. The Environmental Complex
The Environment as a Complex of Factors
Heterogeneity of the Environment
Interaction of Environmental Factors
Managing Complexity
III. SYSTEM-LEVEL INTERACTIONS
13. The Population Ecology of Agroecosystems
Principles of Population Ecology and Plant Demography
Special Topic: Developing a Perennial Grain Crop
Ecological Niche
Applications of Niche Theory to Agriculture
Case Study: Broccoli and Lettuce Intercrop
Population Ecology - A Crop Perspective
14. Genetic Resources in Agroecosystems
Genetic Change in Nature and the Production of Genetic Diversity
Directed Selection and Domestication
Special Topic: Origins of Agriculture
Special Topic: Benefits and Risks of Genetic Engineering
Breeding for Sustainability
15. Species Interactions in Crop Communities
Interference at the Community Level
Special Topic: History of the Study of Mutualism
Beneficial Inteferences at Work in Agroecosystems
Case Study: Covercropping with Rye and Bellbeans
Case Study: Mustard Covercrop for Fuji Apples
Using Species Interactions for Sustainability
16. Agroecosystem Diversity and Stability
Whole-System Approaches and Opportunities
Special Topic: Rhizobium Bacteria, Legumes, and the Nitrogen Cycle
Ecological Diversity
Evaluating Crop Diversity and its Benefits
Colonization and Diversity
Case Study: Effect of Weed Borders on Insect Colonization of a Cauliflower Field
Diversity, Stability, and Sustainability
17. Disturbance, Succession, and Agroecosystem Management
Disturbance and Recovery in Natural Ecosystems
Applications to Agroecosystem Management
Agroforestry Systems
Case Study: Effect of Trees on Soil in Tlaxcala, Mexico
Disturbance, Recovery, and Sustainability
18. The Energetics of Agroecosystems
Energy and the Laws of Thermodynamics
Capture of Solar Energy
Energy Inputs in Food Production
Toward Sustainable Use of Energy in Agroecosystems
Case Study: Energetics of Strawberry Production in Santa Cruz, California and
Nanjing, China
19. Interaction Between Agroecosystems and Natural Ecosystems
The Agricultural Landscape
Management at the Level of the Landscape
Case Study: Landscape Diversity in Tlaxcala, Mexico
Role of Agriculture in Protecting Regional and Global Biodiversity
Special Topic: The Sustainable Biosphere Initiative
IV. MAKING THE TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABILITY
20. Achieving Sustainability
Learning from Existing Sustainable Systems
Converting To Sustainable Practices
Case Study: Conversion to Organic Apple Production
Establishing Criteria for Agricultural Sustainability
Case Study: Sustainability in a Chinese Village Agroecosystem
21. From Sustainable Agriculture to Sustainable Food Systems
A Broader Agenda
Toward Food System Sustainability
References
Glossary
Index
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