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INTECOL Symposium: AGROECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY July 1998, Florence, Italy
Coordinated by: Stephen R. Gliessman, Alfred Heller Professor of Agroecology University of California, Santa Cruz, California
OVERVIEW Preserving the productivity of agricultural land over the long term requires sustainable food production. Sustainability is achieved through alternative agricultural practices informed by in-depth knowledge of the ecological processes occurring in farm fields and the larger contexts of which they are a part. From this foundation we can move towards the social and economic changes that promote sustainability of all sectors of the food system. Sustainability means different things to different people, but there is general agreement that it has an ecological basis. It is the purpose of this symposium to assemble a group of agroecologists from around the world to share experiences in the analysis and development of indicators of agricultural sustainability. Together we will explore the current development of agroecology, defined as the application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems. It is a field that builds on the resource-conserving aspects of traditional, local, and small-scale agriculture while at the same time drawing on modern ecological knowledge and methods. Speakers will present results of case studies that determine 1) if a particular agricultural practice, input, or management decision is sustainable, and 2) the ecological basis for the functioning of the chosen management strategy over the long-term. Participants will discuss common findings, define the future role of agroecology, and develop a strategy for helping farmers make the transition to sustainable farming systems.
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