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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agroecology | 1/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agroecology | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T15:29:29.649300+00:00 | kb-cron |
Agroecology is an academic discipline that studies ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems. Bringing ecological principles to bear can suggest new management approaches in agroecosystems. The term can refer to a science, a movement, or an agricultural practice. Agroecologists study a variety of agroecosystems. The field of agroecology is not associated with any one particular method of farming, whether it be organic, regenerative, integrated, or industrial, intensive or extensive, although some use the name specifically for alternative agriculture.
== Definition == Agroecology is broadly defined as an integrative approach that examines the ecological, social and economic relationship within agricultural systems. Dalgaard et al. refer to agroecology as the study of the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment within agricultural systems. Francis et al. also use the definition in the same way, but thought it should be restricted to growing food. Agroecology is a holistic approach that seeks to reconcile agriculture and local communities with natural processes for the common benefit of nature and livelihoods. Agroecology is inherently multidisciplinary, including sciences such as agronomy, ecology, environmental science, sociology, economics, history and others. Agroecology uses different sciences to understand elements of ecosystems such as soil properties and plant-insect interactions, as well as using social sciences to understand the effects of farming practices on rural communities, economic constraints to developing new production methods, or cultural factors determining farming practices. The system properties of agroecosystems studied may include: productivity, stability, sustainability and equitability. Agroecology is not limited to any one scale; it can range from an individual gene to an entire population, or from a single field in a given farm to global systems. Paul Wojtkowski differentiates the ecology of natural ecosystems from agroecology inasmuch as in natural ecosystems there is no role for economics, whereas in agroecology, focusing as it does on organisms within planned and managed environments, it is human activities, and hence economics, that are the primary governing forces that ultimately control the field. Wojtkowski discusses the application of agroecology in agriculture, forestry and agroforestry in his 2002 book.
=== Varieties === Agroecology can be described in many different approaches. One perspective emphasizes ecosystem agroecology, which draws from system ecology and focuses on understanding farms as integrated ecological systems. This approach analyzes energy flows, nutrient cycles, and the ecological interactions among biotic and abiotic components of an agroecosystem. Other scholars identify distinct historical traditions within agroecology. For example, Dalgaard et al. (2003) characterize agroecology as an integrative discipline combining agronomy, ecology, sociology, and economics. Within this view, what is often termed early integrative agroecology focuses on understanding interactions among plants, animals, humans, and their environment within agricultural landscapes. Over time, diverse methodological approaches have emerged depending on the values and goals prioritized. Some perspectives emphasize more quantitative, technology-driven, and ecological-analytical methods often described as “hard agroecology”. Others highlight cultural knowledge, farmer experience, local practices, and broader social dimensions sometimes referred to as “soft agroecology.” Although these exact labels do not always appear in the literature, they reflect the coexistence of both quantitative and qualitative approaches within the field. Today, the term agroecology is used flexibly and may refer to:
A scientific discipline, focused on ecological and agricultural processes that support sustainable food systems A set of agricultural practices that harness ecological processes, biodiversity, nutrient recycling, agroforestry, intercropping, composting, and other nature-based methods. A social and political movement aimed at transforming food systems by promoting food sovereignty, equity, environmental justice, and the recognition of Indigenous and farmer knowledge This multi-layered use of the term encompassing science, practice, and movement has enabled agroecology to expand from the field or farm scale to the broader food-system scale, integrating ecological, social, economic, and cultural dimensions.
== History ==
=== Overview === The history of agroecology depends on whether it is considered a body of thought or a method of practice. Many indigenous cultures around the world have historically applied, and still apply, practices that today would be recognized as agroecological knowledge. Examples include Maori, Nahuatl, and many other indigenous peoples. The Mexica people that inhabited Tenochtitlan pre-colonization of the Americas used a process called chinampas that in many ways mirrors the use of composting in sustainable agriculture today. The use of agroecological practices such as nutrient cycling and intercropping occurs across hundreds of years and many different cultures. Indigenous peoples also currently make up a large proportion of people using agroecological practices, and those involved in the movement to move more farming into an agroecological paradigm.
=== Pre-WWII academic thought === According to Gliessman and Francis et al., agronomy and ecology were first linked with the study of crop ecology by Klages in 1928. This work is a study of where crops can best be grown. Wezel et al. say the first mention of the term agroecology was in 1928, with the publication of the term by Basil Bensin. Dalgaard et al. claim the German zoologist Friederichs was the first to use the name in 1930 in his book on the zoology of agriculture and forestry, followed by American crop physiologist Hansen in 1939, both using the word for the application of ecology within agriculture.