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Unit 1: Basic Ecological Concepts and Principles Related to Agricultural Systems
The goal in sustainable farming and ranching is to develop an agroecosystem that has both high resistance and high resilience, one that is strong enough to withstand or avoid disturbances, and has the ability to recover quickly from disturbances that do happen. Practically speaking, how can we help farmers and ranchers develop a stable system? Is that goal even attainable?
In Ecological Principle 2, we looked at the concept of diversity and mentioned how it underpins many of the key practices in sustainable agriculture. Is it reasonable and accurate, though, to make the jump from these benefits to a clear statement that “increasing diversity enhances or strengthens the stability of agricultural systems?” Ecologists disagree about the answer to that question. The two links below provide an overview of the issues and current debate. Read each piece and see if you can draw your own conclusion.
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