Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Energetic Services of Nature that Increase Agricultural Sustainability

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture

Part of the book series: Environmental Challenges and Solutions ((ECAS,volume 1))

Abstract

A research agenda for sustainable agriculture would mean looking at how natural systems have evolved to maintain productivity and sustainability, and applying that understanding to managing agricultural ecosystems . It means utilizing the services of nature to achieve long term sustainability goals. Services of nature can increase agricultural sustainability by decreasing the energy subsidies needed to drive agricultural production. Assigning services of nature a value in terms of energy or dollars helps the economic system recognize the benefit of conserving these services.

Services of nature that can contribute to agricultural sustainability include:

  • Nutrient recycling by the community of soil micro-organisms

  • Control of insect pests by beneficial insects

  • Weed control though allelopathy

  • Pollution abatement by buffer vegetation

  • Pollination by birds, bees, bats

  • Disease control through biodiversity

  • Improving degraded soil by ants

A comparison of the energetic and economic value of services of nature with costs of industrial management suggests that using nature’s services to solve management problems results in increases in sustainability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ae, N., Arihara, J., Okada, K., Yoshihara, T., & Johansen, C. (1990). Phosphorus uptake by pigeon pea and its role in cropping systems of the Indian subcontinent. Science, 248, 477–480.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allsopp, M. H, de Lange, W. J., & Veldtman, R. (2008). Valuing insect pollination services with cost of replacement. PLoS ONE, 3(9), e3128. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003128. Accessed 16 Nov 2012.

  • Altieri, M. A., & Liebman, M. (1986). Insect, weed, and plant disease management in multiple cropping systems. In C. A. Francis (Ed.), Multiple cropping systems (pp. 183–218). New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bascompte, J. (2009). Disentangling the web of life. Science, 325, 416–419.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, B. A. (1968). Some comments regarding the wise use of fire. In Proceedings of the annual tall timbers fire ecology conference No. 8 (pp. 199–201). Tallahassee, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhat, B. K. (1995). Breeding methodologies applicable to pyrethrum. In J. E. Casida & G. V. Quistad (Eds.), Pyrethrum flowers (pp. 67–94). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boucher, D. H. (1985). Mutualism in agriculture. In D. H. Bouche (Ed.), The biology of mutualism (pp. 375–386). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady, N. C. (1974). The nature and properties of soils (8th ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrillo, D. Y. (2007). Linking litter quality, soil microbial and faunal communities and soil processes. Dissertation, University of Georgia, Athens.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrillo, Y., Jordan, C. F., Jacobsen, K. L., Mitchell, K. G., Raber, P., Carrillo, Y., Jordan, C. F., Jacobsen, K. L., Mitchell, K. G., & Raber, P. (2011). Shoot pruning of a hedgerow perennial legume alters the availability and temporal dynamics of root-derived nitrogen in a subtropical setting. Plant and Soil, 345(1,2), 59–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, E. (1995). The new organic grower. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, D. C., Hendrix, P. F., Beare, M. H., Crossley, D. A., Hu, S., & van Vliet, P. J. C. (1994). The impacts of management and biota on nutrient dynamics and soil structure in sub-tropical agroecosystems: Impacts on detritus food webs. In C. F. Pankhurst, B. M. Doube, V. V. S. R. Gupta, & P. R. Grace (Eds.), Soil biota: Management in sustainable farming systems (pp. 133–143). East Melbourne: CSIRO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, K. P. (1959). Forest fire: Control and use. New York: McGraw Hill Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, J. W., Hall, C. A., Yanez-Arancibia, A., Pimental, D., Marti, C. I., & Mitsch WJ, W. J. (2009). Ecology in times of scarcity. BioScience, 59, 321–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farnworth, E. G., Tidrick, T. H., Smathers, W. M., & Jordan, C. F. (1983). A synthesis of ecological and economic theory toward more complete valuation of tropical moist forests. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 21, 11–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fasulo, T. R, & Brooks, R. F. (2010). Scale pests of Florida citrus. ENY 814, one of a series of publications of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Department of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gliessman, S. R. (1998). Agroecology: Ecological processes in sustainable agriculture. Chelsea: Ann Arbor Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guedes, R. (1993) Phosphorus mobilization by root exudates of pigeon pea (Cajanas cajan). Dissertation, University of Georgia, Athens.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrichs, C. (2009). How to raise poultry. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press/MBI Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera, R., Merida, T., Stark, N., & Jordan, C. F. (1978). Direct phosphorus transfer from leaf litter to roots through mycorhizzal connections in an Amazonian rain forest. Naturwessenschaften, 65, 208–209.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, A. (1943). An agricultural testament. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, P. M., & Violante, A. (1986). Influence of organic acids on crystallization and surface properties of precipitation products of aluminum. In P. M. Huang & M. Schnitzer (Eds.), Interactions of soil minerals with natural organics and microbes (Soil Science Society of America Special Publication No. 17, pp. 159–221). Madison: Soil Science Society of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, C. F. (1965). Fire influence in old fields of the New Jersey Piedmont. The Bulletin, New Jersey Academy of Science, 10, 7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, C. F. (1971). A world pattern in plant energetics. American Scientist, 59, 425–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampkin, N. (1994). Organic farming. Ipswich: Farming Press Books and Videos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leibenluft, J. (2008). Rent a Hive: How Much Does it Cost to Borrow a Colony of Honeybees. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2008/06/rentahive.html. Accessed 17 Nov 2012.

  • Lowrance, R. R. (1981). Nutrient cycling in an agricultural watershed: Water-borne nutrient input/output budgets for the riparian zone. Dissertation, University of Georgia, Athens.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luck, R. F. (1986). Biological control of California red-scale. In Ecological knowledge and environmental problem solving (pp. 165–189). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahr, D. L.,Whitaker, P., & Ridgeway, N. M. (2008). Biological control of insects and mites: An introduction to beneficial natural enemies and their use in pest management. University of Wisconsin Extension Service Publication A3842, Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montagnini, F., & Jordan, C. F. (1983). The role of insects in the productivity decline of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) on a slash and burn site in the Amazon territory of Venezuela. Agriculture Ecosystems Environment, 9, 293–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. G., Hellwinckel, C. M., Brandt, C. C., West, T. O., De La Torre, U. G., & Marland, G. (2009). Energy use and carbon dioxide emissions from cropland production the United States, 1990–2004. Journal of Environmental Quality, 38, 418–426.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, K. A., & Wright, S. F. (2004). Contributions of fungi to soil organic matter in agroecosystems. In F. Magdoff & R. R. Weil (Eds.), Soil organic matter in sustainable agriculture (pp. 179–198). Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • NRCS. (1999). (Natural Resources Conservation Service). Soil biology primer, Publication PA-1637.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, H. T. (1988). Self-organization, transformity, and information. Science, 242, 1132–1139.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Odum, H. T., & Odum, E. C. (1981). Energy basis for man and nature. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phelan, P. L. (2004). Connecting belowground and aboveground food webs: The role of organic matter in biological buffering. In F. Magdoff & R. R. Weil (Eds.), Soil organic matter in sustainable agriculture (pp. 199–225). Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel, D., & Pimentel, M. H. (2008). Food, energy and society (3rd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rani, M. U., Reddy, A., & Reddy, G. (2012). Screening of rhizobacteria containing plant growth rooting (PGPR) traits in rhizoshpere soils and their role in enhancing growth of pigeon pea. African Journal of Biotechnology, 11(32), 8085–8091.

    Google Scholar 

  • Risch, S. J. (1981). Insect herbivore abundance in tropical monocultures and polycultures: An experimental test of two hypotheses. Ecology, 62, 1325–1340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SARE. (2012). Managing cover crop and conservation tillage to enhance vegetable crop yields, economic returns, and environmental quality. http://www.sare.org/content/search?SearchText=SW04-072&SubTreeArray=102,2003,4528. Accessed 13 Dec 2012.

  • Silcox, C. A., & Roth, E. S. (1995). Pyrethrum for control of pests of agricultural and stored products. In J. E. Casida & G. B. Quistad (Eds.), Pyrethrum flowers (pp. 287–310). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, R. (1992). A biopesticidal tree begins to blossom. Science, 255, 1070–1071.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SWCS. (2000). Soil biology primer (Rev. ed.). Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trdan, S., Valic, N., Znidarcic, D., Vidrih, M., Bergant, K., Zlatic, E., & Milevoj, L. (2005). The role of Chinese cabbage as a trap crop for flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in production of white cabbage. Scientia Horticulturae, 106, 12–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tree Conservation Notes. (2012). Athens-Clarke count community tree program. http://www.athensclarkecounty.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/9133. Accessed 17 Nov 2012.

  • USDA. (2012). Soil quality indicators: Soil respiration. http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/assessment/files/respiration_sq_biological_indicator_sheet.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov 2012.

  • Wander, M. (2005). Soil organic matter fractions and their relevance to soil function. In F. Magdoff & R. R. Weil (Eds.), Soil organic matter in sustainable agriculture (pp. 67–102). Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Carl F. Jordan

Authors
  1. Carl F. Jordan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jordan, C.F. (2013). Energetic Services of Nature that Increase Agricultural Sustainability. In: An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture. Environmental Challenges and Solutions, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6790-4_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation