Thursday, May 1, 2014

Ecosystem and Agroecosystem


ECOSYSTEM AND AGROECOSYSTEM
by Antonio C. Antonio
March 3, 2014

Here are three questions that will give us additional information and perhaps a better understanding of ecosystems and agroecosystems…

QUESTION NO. 1:  “What are the similarities and differences of an ecosystem and an agroecosystem?”

Similarities:

  1. Both include the biotic and abiotic components and their interaction with one another.
  2. Both are spatially and functionally coherent units of agricultural activity.

Differences:

  1. An ecosystem has a more dynamic and complex composition of species and a more complex energy and nutrient flow.
  2. An agroecosystem has simpler species composition and simpler energy and nutrient flows.
  3. Additional to an agroecosystem is its operative component anchored on agricultural activities.
  4. An agroecosystem is just a subset of a conventional ecosystem.

QUESTION NO. 2:  How can the holistic agroecosystem approach be applicable to a community of farmers and what are the hindrances?

In the Philippine upland setting, the most visible community or association of farmers can be found in the different Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) organizations.  Knowing the purpose and objectives the CBFMs were organized, I should say that the holistic agroecosystem approach is applicable.  The hindrances, however, are in the post-organization and actual production period.  More often, CBFMs are left to fend for themselves after they are organized.  This is where the major problem of funding their production operations sets in.  For those who are lucky enough to access funds (through grants, loans, financial assistance, etc.), they, more often, are prone to fiscal mismanagement.  Financial support and sound management therefore should be key elements that would define success for the CBFMs.

The 3Ms (therefore: [1] Market; [2] Manpower and Management; and, [3] Money and Material) for a successful business endeavour comes in play in this situation.  The 3Ms could be likened to a 3-legged stool that will certainly fall if at least one of its legs is absent.  We could argue that “market” and “money” have synergistic relationships… that “market” equals “money” and vice versa… and that one can produce the other.  But only sound “management” can create this “market-money” synergy.  Therefore, all the three “M”s should really work in perfect harmony for a successful business venture from a purely management standpoint.

QUESTION NO. 3:  “Can an agroecosystem approach help encourage sustainability and equitability to primary production systems?”

In ecology, sustainability concept refers to the process by which biological systems survive and remain diverse.  On the other hand, equitability (also as an ecological term) pertains to the extent of the composition and representation by an equal number of individuals of the different species of a given community.  From the production viewpoint, the agroecosystem approach should encourage sustainability and equitability.  In the case of forestlands for example, the health of the forest is the primary consideration.  Although an agroecosystem entails human intervention, proper care (reforestation, timber stand improvement and enhancement planting programs) should be emphasized to strike a balance between human activities and the health of the forest itself.  Special concern should be made on maintaining a balance in the number of individual species (flora and fauna) that are present in the forest community. This way, sustainability and equitability could be achieved.

Long term sustainability in the forest agroecosystem is widely viewed from the vantagepoint of four domains: Ecology, Economics, Politics and Culture.  For the agroecosystem approach to succeed, these four domains should be geared towards the (1) attainment of environmental resiliency, (2) cater to economic demands, and (3) guarantee social equity.  Anything less will simply not work.

Just my little thoughts…

REFERENCES:

·         Equitability (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/equitability)
·         Sustainability (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability)
·         Ecosystem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem)
·         Agroecosystem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agroecosystem)


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