Water is an essential yet constrained commodity for human communities and ecological systems depend on it. With population growth and economic development, water resource is increasingly declining. Over the past two decades, because of changes in population and climate, and relative welfare increase, the per capita consumption of water has increased. Thus, optimal use of available water resourc...

The practice of ecological agriculture involves building the strengths of natural ecosystems into agroecosystems, purposely disturbed to produce food and fiber. The overall strategies include using practices that (a) grow healthy plants with good defense capabilities, (b) stressing pests, and (c) enhancing populations of beneficial organisms. These are accomplished by enhanced habitat managemen...

This paper focuses attention on the relevance of the notion of sustainable development in a regional context and the use of models in analyzing sustainable development. The paper discusses first the notion of sustainable development, linking socio-economic, ecological and political-ethical elements. Time and space prove to be important dimensions of sustainable development, in both distribution...

This publication discusses the definition of urban agriculture, common characteristics, types food produced, commonly used production methods, and purposes various operations. Written by Alicia Papanek, Catherine G. Campbell, Hannah Wooten, published UF/IFAS Department Family, Youth Community Sciences, April 2023.

Today about 2.4 billion people in rural and urban areas do not have access to adequate sanitation services. Within 20 years, it is expected that an additional 2 billion will live in towns and cities, mainly in developing countries, demanding sanitation. Still over 90% of sewage in developing countries is discharged untreated, polluting rivers, lakes and coastal areas. Conventional sanitation co...

This article is focused on definition and identification of optimal ecological flow for macrozoobenthos communities in small urban creeks affected by urban drainage using the Physical HABitat Simulation (PHABSIM) system. It describes the process of determination of ecological flows, from field measurement to determined values. Results show that combine sewer overflows and storm water drains neg...

This paper discusses biotic interactions in agroecosystems and how they may be manipulated to support crop productivity and environmental health by provision of ecosystem services such as weed, pest and disease management, nutrient cycling and biodiversity conservation. Important elements for understanding biotic interactions include consideration of the effects of diversity, species compositio...