Biotic Diversity in Agroecosystems: Papers from a Symposium on Agroecology and Conservation Issues in Tropical and Temperate Regions, University of

by Paoletti, M. G.; Pimentel, D.

• ISBN13: 9780444893901
• ISBN10: 0444893903
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1992-07-01
• Publisher: Elsevier Science Ltd

Summary

The preservation of biodiversity is a high priority among biologists, ecologists and environmentalists. The impact that human activities have on biodiversity is clear; however, few studies have focused on the importance of biodiversity to natural and agricultural ecosystems. In fact, many natural species are essential to sustainable agricultural programs. A new school of thought is appreciating the ecological principles and benefits that diversity of natural biota have for humans and the environment. Landscape ecology and agroecology can play a major role in protecting the environment and conserving biological diversity. The practical opportunities for improving the sustainability of agriculture and making it more environmentally sound were discussed at the Symposium on Agroecology and Conservation Issues, from which 22 papers were collected for this volume. Strategies for increasing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes are provided alongside discussion that agriculture will continue to spread into forests, to meet the growing need for food. Although humans recognize the value of crop and livestock species, few really appreciate the fact that agriculture and forestry cannot function in a productive sustainable way when significant numbers of species in natural biota are lost.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Agroecosystem biodiversity: matching production and conservation biology	p. 3
A review: long-term effects of agricultural systems on soil biochemical and microbial parameters	p. 25
Biodiversity of microarthropods in agricultural soils: relations to processes	p. 37
Macrochelid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) occurring in animal droppings in the pasture ecosystem in central Italy	p. 47
Modifying traditional and high-input agroecosystems for optimization of microbial symbioses: a case study of dry beans in Costa Rica	p. 61
Grassy field margins and arthropod diversity: a case study on ground beetles and spiders in eastern Austria (Coleoptera: Carabidae; Arachnida: Aranei, Opiliones)	p. 71
Field margins: can they enhance natural enemy population densities and general arthropod diversity on farmland?	p. 95
Margins of agricultural fields as habitats for pollinating insects	p. 117
Farming systems and insect predators	p. 125
Some comparative insect conservation issues of north temperate, tropical and, south temperate landscapes	p. 137
Effects of headland management on invertebrate communities in cereal fields	p. 155
Strategy for conservation of wild bees in an agricultural landscape	p. 179
The use of soil mesofauna for the judgement of chemical impact on ecosystems	p. 193
Comparative studies on the soil life in ecofarmed and conventionally farmed fields and grasslands of Austria	p. 207
Conserving the species-rich meadows of Europe	p. 219
Forage legumes and cultural sustainability: lessons from history	p. 233
Subterranean clover living mulch: an alternative method of weed control	p. 249
Alternative crops for sustainable agricultural systems	p. 265
Brazilian rain forest colonization and biodiversity	p. 275
Conserving invertebrate diversity in agricultural, forest and natural ecosystems in Australia	p. 297
Tanzania's vanishing rain forests--assessment of nature conservation values, biodiversity and importance for water catchment	p. 313
Diversity of mammals and traditional hunting in central African rain forests	p. 335
Author Index	p. 355
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