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Characteristics of Agroecosystems |
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by Dharmendra Kapri | 25-05-2014 23:34
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Man is the dominant species in the biosphere. He has modified the ecosystems to suit his social and economic needs. He has even created new ecosystems. These man-made, or artificial ecosystems are terrestrial as well as aquatic. The terrestrial ones include rural and urban settlements, plantations, orchards, gardens, park, croplands and animal farms. The man-made aquatic ecosystems include dams, reservoirs, lakes, canals, fishery tanks, ponds and aquaria. The most important man-made ecosystems are croplands generally called agroecosystems.
The agroecosystems have many common features- * They are created by man and are, thus, artificial. * They are maintained and regulated by man. * They lack the capacity of self-regulation. * They are aerated, irrigated and fed with manure and synthetic fertilizers. The use of the latter causes water pollution. * They are protected againsts pathogens and pests (insects, other animals and weeds) by the use of pesticides. The latter are toxic to the herbivorous animals and humans. They are fenced against the attack of cattle and other animals. * They lack circulation of natural soil nutrients, hence need for artificial manuring. * They lack stability because they are mostly monocultures and do not have diversity. * They are prone to destruction by drought, floods, pests and diseases. Such destructions have caused famines in the past. * Crops grown in agroecosystems are genetically improved to have higher yields. * Machinery is used in sowing, spraying and reaping the crops. * No biomass is left in the fields because of reaping. * Stubbles are burnt to add ash to the fields. However, it causes air pollution. In short, the agroecosystems are created, regulated, fed, protected and improved by humans lack diversity, stability, circulation of nutrients, and self-regulation and leave no biomass in the fields because of reaping.
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Former E-gen Ambassador
Dharmendra Kapri
Previous : Besambay- 84 People Responded ...
4 Comments
The current agroecosystem is not sustainable at all. We must look for organic & other options.
Posted 27-05-2014 18:50
thanks very much J for the update
Posted 26-05-2014 18:58
Mankind created the green revolution and have fed additional billions of people so far. But how much further it can go? I don't see it as a sustainable system. It's time to rethink about the current agroecosystems.
Posted 26-05-2014 16:43
Thanks for sharing the vivid report.
Posted 26-05-2014 02:39