Document: PAU-3-13-4

Landscape ecology and its challenges to modern agriculture.

RISSER, P.G.*

Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2128 ¹

Abstract:
From an ecological perspective, landscapes are considered as integrated systems with a focus on the connections among various interacting components. Traditional agriculture has focused primarily on increased production, has been conducted on only parts of the geographic landscape, and its products have been limited from one to a few species. Agriculture is now changing to an increased emphasis on sustaining the cropping system, minimizing the cost of cultivation, reducing dependence on fertilizers and pesticides, and increasing the marketability of crops from certified farming systems. The success of these newer practices depends upon the principles of landscape ecology. Primarily economics and environmental regulation are currently driving application of these principles. Further expansion of sustainable farming practices will be expedited by offering practical approaches that meet economic requirements, and by demonstration of ecological values that are enhanced by environmentally sound practices. A number of these approaches will be discussed with emphasis on the perspective from the agriculture community.

Keywords:

This abstract is being presented at: 9:00 AM in session:
Symposium # 14: Ecology and Agriculture.