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Unit 1: Basic Ecological Concepts and Principles Related to Agricultural Systems

Now consider the following questions:

1. What did the natural ecosystem of your region look like prior to human influence and activity?

2. Can you see any way the original landscape affected the type of agriculture, forestry or aquaculture that developed in this area?

3. Have you witnessed any ecological changes during the time you have been associated with this place?

4. In working with farmers and ranchers, how does the local landscape and ecology figure into your conversations and problem solving?

These questions lead us to a key concept in sustainable agriculture: that the farm or ranch is an ecological unit within the context of a larger landscape. In this section of the course, we explore how, as agricultural professionals, we can support farmers and ranchers as stewards of the land, or in other words, as managers of agroecosystems.