As agriculture is a major source of control of landscape dynamics, it is useful to develop concepts and methods to understand the interaction between agricultural and natural systems at the landscape level. In this context, landscape ecology and geographical information system (GIS) analyses are emerging as conceptual frameworks to provide effective and feasible solutions in achieving overall system sustainability. An interesting application of such principles and tools is the analysis of the ecological relationship between patches of natural vegetation (i.e. noncrop habitat) occurring in the agricultural landscape. In terms of whole-system stability these patches are essential in providing habitat for beneficial arthropods and other animals (birds, small mammals, amphibians) moving across the landscape. The role of these habitat patches in preserving biodiversity and their interaction within the agricultural landscape has been stressed considering a specific area located in the Salento Peninsula, which is a part of the Apulia region (Southern Italy). This area has been typically characterized by the coexistence between agroecosystems and natural vegetation (Mediterranean maquis and garigue). In the past few years this equilibrium has been disrupted by the intensification of the agricultural practices and by the development of new land use activities. Despite this, remnant patches of Mediterranean vegetation still exist embedded by the agricultural matrix. These patches were mapped using GIS techniques and implemented in a specific model according to their size, shape and relative amount of core area. The resulting ecological network map shows clearly the spatial relation between habitat patches within this landscape thus providing land-use planners and farmers with an important tool to address the planning and the design of more sustainable agricultural systems. For example, new patches of natural vegetation (i.e. hedgerows) might be created within the existing agroecosystems (olive trees, orchards, crop fields) according to the reliable pattern of the local ecological network. 

Because of its complexity, the agricultural landscape needs an integration between landscape ecology and geographical information analyses to be studied as a whole-system. Such an integration might be considered an important step forward in the evolution of the agroecological field. The central priority of this approach is the extension of the farmers' perspective beyond the farms' boundaries. Farmers should diversify the spatial organization of their fields through the insertion of new patches of natural vegetation well connected with the surrounding habitat. Ecological network maps might be used in achieving this object guiding the design of more robust agricultural systems. The limit of a similar approach lies in the large number of variables required to develop models predicting ecological processes. Future research is certainly needed in this field, placing more emphasis on the complex and interdisciplinary relation between agricultural and natural systems. 

Conserve Resources

The presence of vegetation (hedgerows) along the farm boundaries reduces windspeed thus minimizing soil loss by wind erosion and water loss by excess of transpiration.

Manage Ecological Relationships

Patches of natural vegetation provide important habitats for the propagation and protection of a wide range of natural biological control agents of agricultural pests.

Diversify

Undisturbed areas of native species encourage the creation of a more complex and diverse agroecosystem with a variety of living organisms.

Manage Whole Systems

Landscape ecology and geographical information analyses emphasize a whole-system approach in the study of the agricultural landscape focusing the attention on the relationship between farms and natural systems.  

Please click here for more images