Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies

Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies

2010 | Alison G. Power
The chapter discusses the complex relationship between agricultural ecosystems and ecosystem services, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of agricultural practices. Agricultural ecosystems provide essential services such as food production, pollination, pest control, and soil fertility, which are crucial for human well-being. However, these systems also contribute to disservices, including habitat loss, nutrient runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions. The chapter emphasizes the importance of appropriate management practices in balancing the provision of ecosystem services and reducing disservices. It explores various approaches to valuing ecosystem services, including market and non-market methods, and the potential for 'win-win' scenarios where agricultural practices can enhance multiple ecosystem services. The text also delves into specific ecosystem services, such as biological pest control, pollination, water regulation, and soil health, and how they are influenced by landscape structure and agricultural intensification. Finally, it addresses the trade-offs between different ecosystem services and the need for policies and incentives to optimize their delivery.The chapter discusses the complex relationship between agricultural ecosystems and ecosystem services, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of agricultural practices. Agricultural ecosystems provide essential services such as food production, pollination, pest control, and soil fertility, which are crucial for human well-being. However, these systems also contribute to disservices, including habitat loss, nutrient runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions. The chapter emphasizes the importance of appropriate management practices in balancing the provision of ecosystem services and reducing disservices. It explores various approaches to valuing ecosystem services, including market and non-market methods, and the potential for 'win-win' scenarios where agricultural practices can enhance multiple ecosystem services. The text also delves into specific ecosystem services, such as biological pest control, pollination, water regulation, and soil health, and how they are influenced by landscape structure and agricultural intensification. Finally, it addresses the trade-offs between different ecosystem services and the need for policies and incentives to optimize their delivery.
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