Healthy Ecosystems
The sustainable production of resources must ultimately be blended in with sustaining healthy natural ecosystems. As our population expands and demand for resources increases so too do the strains of acquiring our resources in ways that blend in with the natural function of ecosystems.
In agroecology, we aim to create health farm ecosystems that are not sustained by chemicals or produce wasteful products that enter surrounding ecosystems. The aim in developing these systems is to recycle resources, create diversity and match as closely as possible the form and function of native ecosystems. This requires a sensitivity to the environmental factors that shape local ecosystems, the species that comprise these ecosystems and suitable agricultural alternatives.
Ideally wildlife form neighboring areas can interact beneficially within the outer fringes of agricultural ecosystems and there is a transition of diminishing farming intensity from intensive areas close to urban centers to low-impact forms like forestry closer to wildlife reserves.
In agroecology, we aim to create health farm ecosystems that are not sustained by chemicals or produce wasteful products that enter surrounding ecosystems. The aim in developing these systems is to recycle resources, create diversity and match as closely as possible the form and function of native ecosystems. This requires a sensitivity to the environmental factors that shape local ecosystems, the species that comprise these ecosystems and suitable agricultural alternatives.
Ideally wildlife form neighboring areas can interact beneficially within the outer fringes of agricultural ecosystems and there is a transition of diminishing farming intensity from intensive areas close to urban centers to low-impact forms like forestry closer to wildlife reserves.
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regaining_healthy_ecosystems.pdf |
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Ecosystem Services
Ecosystems services relate to the benefits people derive from functioning ecosystems or landscapes. The term ecosystem services was popularised after the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005.
Ecosystem services are grouped into 4 categories
Ecosystem services are grouped into 4 categories
- provisioning e.g. production of food and water
- regulating e.g. control of climate and disease
- supporting e.g. nutrient cycles and oxygen production
- cultural e.g. spiritual and recreational benefits

what_are_ecosystem_services.pdf |
Appropriate Land Use
Background
The LENZ is a classification of the terrestrial environment that can help address conservation and natural resource management issues. This data set classifies the landscape based on its environmental character. The LENZ uses 15 climate, landform and soil factors which are likely to influence animals and plants. This data set provides a classification that can be used as a surrogate for ecosystems. It considers the relationship between the environment and species distributions. It is based on the idea that similar environments will support similar groups of plants and animals relative to the extent of human modification. So the classification identifies sites with similar environmental and ecosystem characteristics.
It has an advantage over just mapping land cover as it identifies underlying characteristics of modified landscapes which could have been cleared or replaced by introduced species such as weeds and pests.
It is relevant to use in agricultural applications as well as biodiversity management.
For more information go to
https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/maps-satellites/lenz/downloads
Here you can down load a copy of the technical hand book , poster and brochure.
The LENZ is a classification of the terrestrial environment that can help address conservation and natural resource management issues. This data set classifies the landscape based on its environmental character. The LENZ uses 15 climate, landform and soil factors which are likely to influence animals and plants. This data set provides a classification that can be used as a surrogate for ecosystems. It considers the relationship between the environment and species distributions. It is based on the idea that similar environments will support similar groups of plants and animals relative to the extent of human modification. So the classification identifies sites with similar environmental and ecosystem characteristics.
It has an advantage over just mapping land cover as it identifies underlying characteristics of modified landscapes which could have been cleared or replaced by introduced species such as weeds and pests.
It is relevant to use in agricultural applications as well as biodiversity management.
For more information go to
https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/maps-satellites/lenz/downloads
Here you can down load a copy of the technical hand book , poster and brochure.

land_use_capability.pdf |
Measuring Outcomes

healthy_farm_index.pdf |
Agro-ecology

agroecology.pdf |
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