Agroecology Simplified and Explained
This book presents the core elements that underwrite agroecology. Expressed across twelve chapters, the universality of the core is the essence of agroecology. This alone would be of interest to researchers, students, and academics. Furthermore, the book
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Agroecology Simplified and Explained
Agroecology
Paul Wojtkowski
Agroecology Simplified and Explained
Paul Wojtkowski Universidad de Concepción Pittsfield, MA, USA
ISBN 978-3-319-93208-8 ISBN 978-3-319-93209-5 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93209-5 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018949050 © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2019 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface
As agroecology has advanced, it has become less a consensus and more a strewing of ideas. The situation is analogous to the story of five blind men describing an elephant. The first, touching the trunk, thinks the elephant is like a large snake. The second, tusk in hand, finds it like a spear. The third, feeling the ear, is reminded of a large leaf. The fourth finds the leg like a tree trunk, and the fifth assumes the side is similar to a wall. Of course, all are correct in their interpretation. This goes to the central dilemma. What does the beast actually look like? The monoculture has become the face of what is termed modern agriculture. In this text, the preferred phrase is conventional agriculture. Further along this same road is the green revolution model. This is monocultural where yields are boosted by high, plot-external inputs and by high-yielding crop varieties. This model is often supported by GMO varieties and the liberal use of agrochemicals. Agroecologists reject this narrow view, instead putting forth the notion that agriculture, by way of agroecology, is based around biodiversity and the use of nature- supplied, goal-furthering bio-interactions. These insure crop yields. Beyond this, the situation gets messy. This comes about because agro
