Agroecosystem analysis is a thorough analysis of an agricultural environment which considers aspects from ecology, sociology, economics, and politics with equal weight. There are many aspects to consider; however, it is literally impossible to account for all of them. This is one of the issues when trying to conduct an analysis of an agricultural environment. In the past, an agroecosystem analysis approach might be used to determine the sustainability of an agricultural system. It has become apparent, however, that the "sustainability" of the system depends heavily on the definition of sustainability chosen by the observer. Therefore, agroecosystem analysis is used to bring the richness of the true complexity of agricultural systems to an analysis to identify reconfigurations of the system (or holon) that will best suit individual situations.
Agroecosystem analysis is a tool of the multidisciplinary subject known as Agroecology. Agroecology and agroecosystem analysis are not the same as sustainable agriculture, though the use of agroecosystem analysis may help a farming system ensure its viability. Agroecosystem analysis is not a new practice, agriculturalists and farmers have been doing it since societies switched from hunting and gathering (hunter-gatherer) for food to settling in one area. Every time a person involved in agriculture evaluates their situation to identify methods to make the system function in a way that better suits their interests, they are performing an agroecosystem analysis.
Agroecosystem analysis and sustainable agriculture differ
It is difficult to discuss these
differences without the aid of an example. Consider the case of a conventional
(see conventional
agriculture) apple
farmer. This farmer may choose to change his farm to conform to the standards
of USDA approved organic
agriculture because he
felt motivated by social or moral norms or the potential of increased profits
or a host of other reasons. This farmer evaluated his situation and
reconfigured it to try to improve it. Some might look at this situation and
conclude that the apple farmer chose organic apple production because it is
more sustainable for the environment. But, what if a few years later the farmer
finds that he is struggling to make a profit and decides to go back to
conventional agriculture? The farmer performed another agroecosystem analysis
and arrived at a reconfiguration that some might see as unsustainable. This
example illustrates how agroecosystem analysis is not required to lead a more
environmentally sustainable form of agriculture. Agroecosystem analysis might produce
a reconfiguration that is more economically sustainable or socially sustainable
or politically sustainable for a farmer (or other actor). By definition,
however, agroecosystem analysis is not required to produce an environmentally
sustainable configuration for an agricultural system.
Approach to analysis
William L. Bland, from the University
of Wisconsin–Madison,
developed the idea of a farm as a Holon
(philosophy) This term, holon,
was originally introduced by Arthur Koestler in 1966, in which he referred to a holon
as an entity in which it is a part by itself, a holon, while
contributing to a larger entity, which is also a holon. Bland develops this for an agricultural
environment or farm as, "The farm holon is both the whole in which smaller
holons exists, and a part of larger entities, themselves holons." This
idea was expanded upon by Bland and Michael M. Bell University
of Wisconsin–Madison in
their 2007 article "A holon approach to agroecology," because it is difficult to account for
boundary and change when using a systems thinking approach. One major difference between
Koestler's holon and the holon idea developed for agroecosystem analysis is
that the latter can only be defined as a holon if it has intentionality.The farm itself is a holon and within the farm holon, other holons exist. For example, a farm animal, the farm family, and a farmworker can all be considered holons within the farm. Additionally, the farm is considered a holon which is inpart connected to other holons such as the county in which the farm resides, the bank from which the farmer borrowed money, or the grain elevator where the farmer can sell goods. Things like the tractor or the barn are not holons because they lack intentionality.
When conducting an agroecosystem analysis, the analyst should approach the farm as the farm itself and the "ecology of contexts" in which the farm and the farmer function. A "context" is anything that might influence functioning of the farm and cause it to change. According to Bland and Bell, examples of contexts include, "family, farm business, genetic heart disease, and spiritual beliefs." These examples illustrate the breadth of contexts that could influence why farmers do what they do. Bland concluded his model of a farm as a holon by stating, "A farm is not sustainable (disintegrates) when it cannot find an overall configuration that is simultaneously viable in all contexts."
Questions to consider
There is no right or wrong way
to evaluate an agroecosystem. It is important to identify all actors in a holon
before beginning the analysis. When an analyst accepts the task of analyzing
the agroecosystem, first and foremost, it must be approached as to incorporate
all elements involved and should derive questions that should be answered.
Questions such as:- What defining factors (holons and contexts) determine the present configuration of the agroecosystem?
- How does one quantify the sustainability of the farm holon (economic, social, political, ecological and/or other)?
- How does the farmer or farm family perceive an agroecosystem?
- What is the farmer doing now, and how do those practices or actions affect the viability of the agroecosystem?
- Can the farmer maintain his livelihood continuing with current practices?
- What does the farmer value and where do those values come from?
- Will the farmer consider alternative farm configurations?
Analysis types
J. Visser of Dordt College uses a diagram, "Wealth Creation
Wheel" to emphasize and account for the
parameters of developing a thorough analysis. His diagram is more emphasized on
economics; however, it is a useful tool to
reference when starting to analyze an agroecoystem. His interest is to create a
functioning wheel which will roll when all parameters are met equally.
If one parameter is not functioning in context with the other parameters, then
the wheel will be out of balance and ineffective, thus unsustainable. When
referring to an agroecosystem, if one parameter is out of balance,
this could lead to an unproductive cropping season and loss of income and/or
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