Complementaria I: AGROECOLOGY

What is agroecology?

Agroecology is:

-A scientific discipline that uses ecological theory to study, design, manage and evaluate agricultural systems that are productive but also resource conserving.

-The application of ecology to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems. A whole-systems approach to agriculture and food systems development based on traditional knowledge, alternative agriculture, and local food system experiences.

-Linking ecology, culture, economics, and society to sustain agricultural production, healthy environments, and viable food and farming communities.

On the other hand, agroecology is

•    The application of ecology to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems.

•    A whole-systems approach to agriculture and food systems development based on traditional knowledge, alternative agriculture, and local food system experiences.

•    Linking ecology, culture, economics, and society to sustain agricultural production, healthy environments, and viable food and farming communities.

•    for more information check it out :

• http://nature.berkeley.edu/~miguel-alt/what_is_agroecology.html

Agroecosystem

The organisms and environment of an agricultural area considered as an ecosystem.

Word origin: Agro + ecosystem.

Agro: It refers to fields or soil management.

Ecosystem: It is everything that exists in a particular environment. An ecosystem includes living things, such as plants and animals(biotic system), and things that are not living, such as rocks, soil, sunlight, and water (Abiotic system).

Biotic or Abiotic Factor

Abiotic factors refer to non-living physical and chemical elements in the ecosystem. Abiotic resources are usually obtained from the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Examples of abiotic factors are water, air, soil, sunlight, and minerals.
Biotic factors are living or once-living organisms in the ecosystem. These are obtained from the biosphere and are capable of reproduction. Examples of biotic factors are animals, birds, plants, fungi, and other similar organisms.

GLOSSARY

Approach: Enfoque
Enviroment: Medio Ambiente
Farming: Agricultura
Field: Campo
Food: Alimento
Healthy: Saludable
Knowledge: Conocimiento
Linking: Conectar
Resource: Recurso
Soil: Tierra
Sustain: Sostener
Whole: Un todo

Checkitout: Enlace de página web referente a los agroecosistemas y campo sustentable.

http://www.cias.wisc.edu/curriculum/index.htm
http://www.agroecology.org/
http://www.agroecology.org/Principles.html

More information: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Abiotic_vs_Biotic

Activities:

Part I

Write element’s name and indicate whether it is biotic or abiotic factor.

Example: