Download or read book Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function written by Ernst-Detlef Schulze and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 527 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The biota of the earth is being altered at an unprecedented rate. We are witnessing wholesale exchanges of organisms among geographic areas that were once totally biologically isolated. We are seeing massive changes in landscape use that are creating even more abundant succes sional patches, reductions in population sizes, and in the worst cases, losses of species. There are many reasons for concern about these trends. One is that we unfortunately do not know in detail the conse quences of these massive alterations in terms of how the biosphere as a whole operates or even, for that matter, the functioning of localized ecosystems. We do know that the biosphere interacts strongly with the atmospheric composition, contributing to potential climate change. We also know that changes in vegetative cover greatly influence the hydrology and biochemistry ofa site or region. Our knowledge is weak in important details, however. How are the many services that ecosystems provide to humanity altered by modifications of ecosystem composition? Stated in another way, what is the role of individual species in ecosystem function? We are observing the selective as well as wholesale alteration in the composition of ecosystems. Do these alterations matter in respect to how ecosystems operate and provide services? This book represents the initial probing of this central ques tion. It will be followed by other volumes in this series examining in depth the functional role of biodiversity in various ecosystems of the world.

Download or read book Innovation for Environmentally friendly Food Production and Food Safety in China written by Nicholas Clarke and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2023-08-28 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The edited volume focuses on modern agro-technologies for achieving climate smart agriculture in China and meeting the UN sustainable development goals (especially SDGs 2, 13, and 15). It describes the technologies being adopted in China for meeting food security challenges, with the main focus being on soils. China is a large and diverse country, and what happens there has a global impact. In the past decades, China has achieved remarkable increases in food production, feeding nearly 20% of the world population with less than 10% of the arable land. This great achievement was mainly based on the intensive use of chemical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, which in turn caused environmental pollution and food safety issues. China has fully realized this important issue and has adopted a “Zero Growth” policy to restrict the further increase in chemical fertilizers after 2020. Chinese scientists have developed regional optimum crop management practices and guidelines to increase crop yield and nutrient use efficiencies compared with current farming practices. Chinese agricultural soil is also currently in critical condition with severe environmental pollution. These agricultural practices need improvement to maintain sustainable food production with minimum environmental footprint. At present, the traditional mode of agricultural production in China is difficult to sustain. This book offers case studies and sustainable solutions for transforming agricultural sciences in China. The book is a useful reading material for stakeholders such as governments, policymakers, research institutions, and farmers.

Download or read book Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems written by Krishna Kumar Choudhary and published by Woodhead Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-04 with total page 486 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems explains the causative factors of climate change related to agriculture, soil and plants, and discusses the relevant resulting mitigation process. Agricultural ecosystems include factors from the surrounding areas where agriculture experiences direct or indirect interaction with the plants, animals, and microbes present. Changes in climatic conditions influence all the factors of agricultural ecosystems, which can potentially adversely affect their productivity. This book summarizes the different aspects of vulnerability, adaptation, and amelioration of climate change in respect to plants, crops, soil, and microbes for the sustainability of the agricultural sector and, ultimately, food security for the future. It also focuses on the utilization of information technology for the sustainability of the agricultural sector along with the capacity and adaptability of agricultural societies under climate change. Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems incorporates both theoretical and practical aspects, and serves as base line information for future research. This book is a valuable resource for those working in environmental sciences, soil sciences, agricultural microbiology, plant pathology, and agronomy. - Covers the role of chemicals fertilizers, environmental deposition, and xenobiotics in climate change - Discusses the impact of climate change on plants, soil, microflora, and agricultural ecosystems - Explores the mitigation of climate change by sustainable methods - Presents the role of computational modelling in climate change mitigation

Download or read book Plants and Microbial Communities Diversity Pathogens and Biological Control written by Yong Wang and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2022-05-06 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Intercropping Systems in Sustainable Agriculture written by Paulo Mazzafera and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2021-03-30 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Advances in Agronomy written by Donald L. Sparks and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2020-01-28 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial. - Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy - Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world - Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series - Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

Download or read book Farming Systems Research into the 21st Century The New Dynamic written by Ika Darnhofer and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-05-30 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Farming Systems Research has three core characteristics: it builds on systems thinking, it depends on the close collaboration between social and biophysical sciences, and it relies on participation to build co-learning processes. Farming Systems Research posits that to contribute towards sustainable rural development, both interdisciplinary collaborations and local actor engagement are needed. Together, they allow for changes in understanding and changes in practices. This book gives an overview of the insights generated in 20 years of Farming Systems Research. It retraces the emergence and development of Farming Systems Research in Europe, summarises the state-of-the-art for key areas, and provides an outlook on new explorations, especially those tackling the dynamic nature of farming systems and their interaction with the natural environment and the context of action.

Download or read book Diversity and Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems written by Munesh Kumar and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-12-29 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Providing a wealth of in-depth knowledge of forest ecosystems, this new volume explores a collection of important topics on forest community dynamics. It looks at the diversity of forest ecosystems and explores such aspects as forest products in enhancing local livelihoods and community participation, forage production, forest conservation and sustainable management, regeneration patterns, seed handling, and more. Chapters in Diversity and Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems present new research on forest products, livelihood generation mechanisms of forest-dependent communities, utilization patterns of untapped resources from forests, and the structure of different ecosystems from the tropical to the temperate landscape. This book also features different drivers of community dynamics, such as the role of seed handling in forests, the influence of altitudinal variations, and protected and community-conserved forests on the forest diversity. Chapters also consider the role of non-timber forest products and their significance in livelihood diversification for tribal communities and forage crop genetic resources, and forest resource extraction by forest fringe dwellers. Also explored are aspects of soil organic carbon in agroforestry systems and integrated approaches of sustainable agroforestry development in diverse forest ecosystems. This edition also examines the vegetation structure and regeneration aspects of timberline zone, including diversity of herbaceous flora along the altitudinal gradient. The abundance of in-depth knowledge of the diversity and dynamics of forest ecosystems in this volume will be valuable in conservation and management of forests, which play an important role in the world environment. Forests are presently facing multiple disturbances, and this volume will help forestry professionals and others formulate further strategies to mitigate global climate change and other challenges.

Download or read book Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 28 written by Sabrina Gaba and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-05-16 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents ecological principles and applications of managing biodiversity in agriculture to decrease pesticide use and produce safe food. Major topics include ecosystem services biological pest control, conservation agriculture, drought stress, and soil biodiversity, carbon and fertilisation.

Download or read book Water use efficiency of arable and grassland crops in legume based intercropping systems written by Annika Meißner and published by Cuvillier Verlag. This book was released on 2021 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Legume-based intercropping systems have the potential for a more efficient use of water resources. This depends on various factors such as environmental conditions and genotypic characteristics. Therefore, several genotypes of legumes and non-legumes of arable, grassland and woody crops were tested comparing intercropping and pure stands under both greenhouse and field conditions. Greenhouse experiments with winter faba bean and winter wheat under water deficit revealed genotypic differences in the suitability for intercropping as well as effects on the microbial community. Field experiments with direct and remote measurements showed that including legumes in arable and grassland low-input systems improves water use efficiency and productivity in comparison to pure non-legumes. The grassland mixing partners perennial ryegrass and chicory had additional effects. Furthermore, arable intercropping reduced nitrous oxide emissions compared to fertilized wheat stands. From the consolidated results, some winter faba bean and white clover genotypes could be identified for further breeding for intercropping systems. In summary, intercropping with legumes improves the water use efficiency and the general performance and sustainability of the agro-ecosystem.

Download or read book Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Soils written by Alessandro Piccolo and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-01-11 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This compilation of techniques, methodologies and scientific data arises from a four-year Italian research project, which took place at university research stations in Turin, Piacenza, Naples and Potenza. Soil Organic Matter (SOM) represents an active and essential pool of the total organic carbon on the planet. Consequently, even small changes in this SOM carbon pool may have a significant impact on the concentration of atmospheric CO2. Recent new understanding of the chemical nature of SOM indicates that innovative and sustainable technologies may be applied to sequester carbon in agricultural soils. Overall results of the project have been applied to develop an innovative model for the prediction and description, both quantitatively and qualitatively, of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. This book provides experts in different areas of soil science with a complete picture of the effects of new soil management methods and their potentials for practical application in farm management.

Download or read book Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases written by Mark Liebig and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2012-10-16 with total page 602 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global climate change is a natural process that currently appears to be strongly influenced by human activities, which increase atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG). Agriculture contributes about 20% of the world's global radiation forcing from carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and produces 50% of the methane and 70% of the nitrous oxide of the human-induced emission. Managing Agricultural Greenhouse Gases synthesizes the wealth of information generated from the GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network) effort with contributors from a variety of backgrounds, and reports findings with important international applications. - Frames responses to challenges associated with climate change within the geographical domain of the U.S., while providing a useful model for researchers in the many parts of the world that possess similar ecoregions - Covers not only soil C dynamics but also nitrous oxide and methane flux, filling a void in the existing literature - Educates scientists and technical service providers conducting greenhouse gas research, industry, and regulators in their agricultural research by addressing the issues of GHG emissions and ways to reduce these emissions - Synthesizes the data from top experts in the world into clear recommendations and expectations for improvements in the agricultural management of global warming potential as an aggregate of GHG emissions

Download or read book Save Soil by Managing Soil Nutrient Losses Agronomic Practices and Crop Microbial Interaction World Soil Day 2022 written by Arnab Majumdar and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2024-02-07 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soil is not only a fundamental source for all living organisms but also impacts non-living factors (water, air, minerals, etc.) making it an invaluable and finite resource. The importance of soil expands from agronomy through to industrialization, thus, it is crucial to understand the impact of human activity on soil quality. To address several global issues related to pollution, food security, and health, the United Nations promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with targets to ‘save soil’ by minimizing nutrient loss and pollution load from the soil. Due to increasing anthropogenic pollution load, many soil pollution control measures are failing, therefore, new technologies and eco-friendly solutions are needed to balance and restore soil health. Soil-crop interactions are essential considering the crop yield and productivity under different soil statuses. These processes, including nutrient release or soi detoxification, are mediated by soil-inhabiting microbes. In fact, the intrinsic role of soil parameters, including the different classes of soil, control soil microbiota which in turn modulate soil nutrient contents and makes these bioavailable. Different crops, especially cereals, are constantly interacting with these soil microbes, thus the relationship between soil, crops, and microbes is complex.

Download or read book The Importance of Soil Organic Matter written by Alexandra Bot and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2005 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soil organic matter - the product of on-site biological decomposition - affects the chemical and physical properties of the soil and its overall health. Its composition and breakdown rate affect: the soil structure and porosity; the water infiltration rate and moisture holding capacity of soils; the diversity and biological activity of soil organisms; and plant nutrient availability. This document concentrates on the organic matter dynamics of cropping soils and discusses the circumstances that deplete organic matter and their negative outcomes. It then moves on to more proactive solutions. It reviews a "basket" of practices in order to show how they can increase organic matter content and discusses the land and cropping benefits that then accrue.--Publisher's description.

Download or read book Soil Microorganisms Under Ecological Planting written by Ming Liu and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2023-09-06 with total page 175 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Global Change and Forest Soils written by and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-11-23 with total page 540 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global Change and Forest Soils: Cultivating Stewardship of a Finite Natural Resource, Volume 36, provides a state-of-the-science summary and synthesis of global forest soils that identifies concerns, issues and opportunities for soil adaptation and mitigation as external pressures from global changes arise. Where, how and why some soils are resilient to global change while others are at risk is explored, as are upcoming train wrecks and success stories across boreal, temperate, and tropical forests. Each chapter offers multiple sections written by leading soil scientists who comment on wildfires, climate change and forest harvesting effects, while also introducing examples of current global issues. Readers will find this book to be an integrated, up-to-date assessment on global forest soils. - Presents sections on boreal, temperate and tropical soils for a diverse audience - Serves as an important reference source for anyone interested in both a big-picture assessment of global soil issues and an in-depth examination of specific environmental topics - Provides a unique synthesis of forest soils and their collective ability to respond to global change - Offers chapters written by leading soil scientists - Prepares readers to meet the daily challenges of drafting multi-resource environmental science and policy documents

Download or read book The Role of Smallholder Farms in Food and Nutrition Security written by Sergio Gomez y Paloma and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-01-01 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book discusses the current role of smallholders in connection with food security and poverty reduction in developing countries. It addresses the opportunities they enjoy, and the constraints they face, by analysing the availability, access to and utilization of production factors. Due to the relevance of smallholder farms, enhancing their production capacities and economic and social resilience could produce positive impacts on food security and nutrition at a number of levels. In addition to the role of small farmers as food suppliers, the book considers their role as consumers and their level of nutrition security. It investigates the link between agriculture and nutrition in order to better understand how agriculture affects human health and dietary patterns. Given the importance of smallholdings, strategies to increase their productivity are essential to improving food and nutrition security, as well as food diversity.