Description
The preservation of biodiversity is a high priority among biologists, ecologists and environmentalists. The impact that human activities have on biodiversity is clear; however, few studies have focused on the importance of biodiversity to natural and agricultural ecosystems. In fact, many natural species are essential to sustainable agricultural programs. A new school of thought is appreciating the ecological principles and benefits that diversity of natural biota have for humans and the environment. Landscape ecology and agroecology can play a major role in protecting the environment and conserving biological diversity. The practical opportunities for improving the sustainability of agriculture and making it more environmentally sound were discussed at the Symposium on Agroecology and Conservation Issues, from which 22 papers were collected for this volume. Strategies for increasing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes are provided alongside discussion that agriculture will continue to spread into forests, to meet the growing need for food. Although humans recognize the value of crop and livestock species, few really appreciate the fact that agriculture and forestry cannot function in a productive sustainable way when significant numbers of species in natural biota are lost.
Chapter
Chapter 2. A review: long-term effects of agricultural systems on soil biochemical and microbial parameters
pp.:
32 – 44
Chapter 3. Biodiversity of microarthropods in agricultural soils: relations to processes
pp.:
44 – 54
Chapter 4. Macrochelid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) occurring in animal droppings in the pasture ecosystem in central Italy
pp.:
54 – 68
Chapter 5. Modifying traditional and high-input agroecosystems for optimization of microbial symbioses: a case study of dry beans in Costa Rica
pp.:
68 – 78
Chapter 6. Grassy field margins and arthropod diversity: a case study on ground beetles and spiders in eastern Austria (Coleoptera: Carabidae; Arachnida: Aranei, Opiliones)
pp.:
78 – 102
Chapter 7. Field margins: can they enhance natural enemy population densities and general arthropod diversity on farmland?
pp.:
102 – 124
Chapter 8. Margins of agricultural fields as habitats for pollinating insects
pp.:
124 – 132
Chapter 9. Farming systems and insect predators
pp.:
132 – 144
Chapter 10. Some comparative insect conservation issues of north temperate, tropical, and south temperate landscapes
pp.:
144 – 162
Chapter 11. Effects of headland management on invertebrate communities in cereal fields
pp.:
162 – 186
Chapter 12. Strategy for conservation of wild bees in an agricultural landscape
pp.:
186 – 200
Chapter 13. The use of soil mesofauna for the judgement of chemical impact on ecosystems
pp.:
200 – 214
Chapter 14. Comparative studies on the soil life in ecofarmed and conventionally farmed fields and grasslands of Austria
pp.:
214 – 226
Chapter 15. Conserving the species-rich meadows of Europe
pp.:
226 – 240
Chapter 16. Forage legumes and cultural sustainability: lessons from history
pp.:
240 – 256
Chapter 17. Subterranean clover living mulch: an alternative method of weed control
pp.:
256 – 272
Chapter 18. Alternative crops for sustainable agricultural systems
pp.:
272 – 282
Chapter 19. Brazilian rain forest colonization and biodiversity
pp.:
282 – 304
Chapter 20. Conserving invertebrate diversity in agricultural, forestry and natural ecosystems in Australia
pp.:
304 – 320
Chapter 21. Tanzania's vanishing rain forests — assessment of nature conservation values, biodiversity and importance for water catchment
pp.:
320 – 342
Chapter 22. Diversity of mammals and traditional hunting in central African rain forests
pp.:
342 – 362
Author Index
pp.:
362 – 364