Editorial: Introduction to themed section— supporting ecosystem services with conservation agricultural approaches

Authors

Alan J. Franzluebbers, USDA—Agricultural Research ServiceFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 28(2); 99–101 doi:10.1017/S1742170513000021

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Ecosystem services are the properties and processes of the natural world that contribute to the well-being of plants, animals and humans in a holistic and global context. For too long, members of the agricultural community have been solely focused on the provision of food, feed and fiber. Of course, this essential human innovation has provided hugely important products engineered for mass production that serves all of human society. However, agriculture and the ecosystems in which it is practiced provide numerous other services that are becoming increasingly relevant to its very survival and the survival of humans that it supports. Several recent reviews have expressed the need to balance production and environmental goals to create a sustainable future^1–3. Ecosystem services have been categorized into four key components, including supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural services (Fig. 1). Agricultural landscapes have a large and sometimes dominating influence on several essential ecosystem services, including biomass production (i.e., food, feed, fiber and fuel production), air purification and climate regulation through greenhouse gas exchange, soil formation and retention, water cycling, nutrient cycling, wildlife habitat provision and aesthetic experience.