Agroecology

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Objectives

Define, describe and aplly basic ecological principles as they apply to agroecosystems;

Identify ande descrive the structures (biotic and abiotic) and ecological functions (energy flow, nutriente cycling) of select agroecosystems;

Discusse the impacts and interrelationships beteween agricultural systems and associated ecosystems;

Describe basic principles of genetic resources management in agroecosystems and associated ecosystems;

Identify holistic relationship between the major ecological, social, and economic factos affecting agroecosystem sustainably;

Discusse and apply agroecological principles to selected agroecosystems to assess their sustainability and make suggestions for enhanced suatainability;

Demonstrate critical-thinking and problema-solving skilss, including na ability to acesse, retrieve evaluate and utilize relevant information from a wide range of sources of scientific literature, and also from practical observations froma farmers and agroecologists.

Program

Module 1: Agriculture and abiotic components

Introduction

Agroecology overview

Crop production

Climate and agriculture

Managing nutrients

Water and agriculture

Managing water

Module 2: Agriculture and biotic components

Biodiversity and agriculture

Agroecosystem diversity and stability

Pests, weeds and diseases

Managing species interactions

Animal agriculture

Module 3: Systems from the Farm to the Landscape and Beyond

Indicators of sustainability

The farm as an agroecosystem

Landscape agroecology

Farms and energy

Agroecosystem to food system

Global issue

Agroecology review

Teaching Methodologies

The curricular unit has 6 ECTS, corresponding to a total of 46 working hours, from which 12 are practical sessions and 34 theoretical – practical.

Bibliography

Principles of Ecology in Plant Production. T.R. Sinclair & F.P. Gardner. CAB International. 1998.

The Ecology of Agroecosystems. Vandermeer, J.H.. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 2011.

Agroecology. Martin, K., Sauerborn, J.. Springer. 2013.

Agriculture Sustainability. Strategies for Assessment. Van Loon, G., Patil, S.G., Hugar, L.B.. SAGE Publications. 2005.

Agroecology. Ecological Processes in Sustainable Agriculture. Gliessman, S.. Ann Harbour Press. 1998.

Code

0200997

ECTS Credits

6

Classes

  • Teóricas - 20 hours
  • Teórico-Práticas - 26 hours