Agricultural Systems and External Relationships

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Questions and Answers

When did the concept of agroecology start to appear in scientific literature?

1980s

1950s

1970s

1920s (correct)

What is the main focus of agroecology as a social movement?

Transforming food systems to sustainability (correct)

Promoting environmental preservation

Achieving social fairness

All of the above

What is the recommended approach to integrating the elements of agroecology?

Trans-disciplinary, participatory, and action-oriented approach (correct)

Multi-disciplinary and theoretical approach

Inter-disciplinary and action-oriented approach

Mono-disciplinary and practical approach

What is the study of within the crop field in agroecology?

Predator/prey relations and crop/weed competition Signup and view all the answers

When did agroecology begin to be expressed in family farmers' practices and grassroots social movements?

1920s Signup and view all the answers

What was the timeframe of World War II, according to the passage?

1 Sep 1939 - 2 Sep 1945 Signup and view all the answers

What three elements does agroecology integrate?

Science, practice, and social movement Signup and view all the answers

Who published a relevant work on agroecology in 1998?

Gliessman Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of mature ecosystems?

They have a degree of resistance to most perturbations. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to ecosystem stability when periodic disturbances occur?

It increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the reduction of natural structural and functional diversity?

Much of the resilience of the system is lost. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of populations of crop plants or animals in agroecosystems?

They rarely reproduce or regulate themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the simplification of agroecosystems?

Biological diversity is reduced. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to maintain agroecosystems?

Constant human-derived external inputs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of agroecology in terms of food production?

To meet the increasing food needs of the future while ensuring sustainability Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of agroecological systems?

Use of ecological principles to optimize interactions between species Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between agroecology and biodiversity?

Agroecology enhances biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of agroecology?

Application of ecological principles to agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of agroecological systems in terms of resource use?

Efficient use of local resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of agroecology on local communities?

Empowerment of local communities Signup and view all the answers

What is the key benefit of agroecology in terms of the environment?

Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying principle of agroecology?

Optimization of ecological interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of energy flow in a food web?

Unidirectional and non-cyclic Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for organisms that are at the highest trophic level in a food web?

Top predators Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the non-living portions of the soil?

Minerals and dead organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the complex living system in the soil and its interactions with the environment, plants, and animals?

Soil food web Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for green plants?

Solar energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor affecting the dynamics of organisms in an ecosystem?

Abiotic factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for organisms that make soil healthy and support healthy plants?

Beneficial soil biota Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate source of food for humans and other animals?

Ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between natural ecosystems and agroecosystems?

Human control Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of agroecosystems that enhances productivity?

Auxiliary sources of energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of studying agroecosystems?

To understand the relationship between human control and ecosystem productivity Signup and view all the answers

What is typically available in a supermarket about the food?

Information on who grew the food, how it was grown, and how far away it came from Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of natural ecosystems that is not typically found in agroecosystems?

High species diversity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the movement of energy from one organism to another in an agroecosystem?

Energy flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the graphical representation of energy flow in an agroecosystem?

Ecological pyramid Signup and view all the answers

What is the study of the relationships between agroecosystems, farms, crops, and farmers?

Interlinkages of agroecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Agroecosystems vs. Natural Ecosystems

Agroecosystems have human control, whereas natural ecosystems do not
Net productivity is higher in agroecosystems due to auxiliary energy sources
Species diversity is lower in agroecosystems due to the loss of niche diversity and reduced trophic interactions
Trophic interactions are more complex in natural ecosystems
Habitat heterogeneity is lower in agroecosystems
Nutrient cycles are more controlled in agroecosystems
Stability and resilience are lower in agroecosystems due to the reduction of natural structural and functional diversity
Temporal permanence is lower in agroecosystems

Characteristics of Agroecosystems

Include auxiliary sources of energy like human, animal, and fuel energy to enhance productivity
Have been identified in scientific literature since the 1920s
Have been expressed in family farmers' practices, grassroots social movements, and public policies

Agroecology

Is a science, practice, and social movement focused on transforming food systems to sustainability
Integrates ecological and social concepts and principles to design and manage food and agricultural systems
Seeks to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment
Aims to ensure social fairness, economic stability, and biodiversity

Agroecology's Role in Sustainability

Offers a unique approach to meeting food needs while ensuring environmental sustainability and social fairness
Can help mitigate climate instability and ensure food security
Is an integrated approach that applies ecological and social concepts to agricultural systems

Food Webs and Energy Flow in Agroecosystems

Food webs describe the complex interactions between organisms in an ecosystem
Energy flow is unidirectional and non-cyclic, while nutrient flows are cyclic
Agricultural practices affect the spatial patterns and dynamics of soil decomposition and nutrient availability
Green plants capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy for use by the biological system

Soil Food Web

Soil is comprised of both non-living and living parts
Soil biota range from micro-organisms to megafauna
Soil organisms can be beneficial or harmful to soil health and plant growth
Soil food web describes the complex interactions between soil organisms and their environment

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Description

This quiz covers the general structure of an agricultural system and its relationship with external systems.