An understanding of agroecosystems is key to determining effective farming systems. Here we report results from a 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe. We found crop yields to be 20% lower in the organic systems, although input of fertilizer and energy was reduced by 34 to 53% and pesticide input by 9...

Source: IAASTD Global Report Figure 3-6, from Altieri, M.A., and C.I. Nicholls, 1999. Biodiversity, ecosystem function, and insect pest management in agricultural systems. p. 6984. In W.W. Collins and C.O.Qualset(ed) Biodiversity in Agroecosystems. CRC Press, NY. Agroecology is the science behind sustainable agriculture. Drawing on the natural and social sciences, agroecology provides a framewo...

Abstract Adaptation to climate change is imperative for the resilience of smallholder agriculture in many developing countries. While studies have focused on climatic impacts crops and adaptation decisions, barriers uptake measures by farmers remain largely unexplored. We empirically quantified adoption measures, as well their determinants Far Western Province, Nepal, based a survey 327 farmers...

this study examined the environmental impacts of irrigated and rainfed barley agroecosystems of iran based on nitrogen levels by using lca methodology during 1999-2013. four steps includung goal definition and scoping, inventory analysis, life cycle impact assessment and integration & interpretation were considered. impact categories were acidification, eutrophication and global warming. functi...