Assignment: Principles in Sustainable Agriculture
Part 1:
Using the assigned reading materials, complete the table below by defining each term and explaining how each component supports sustainable agriculture.
You may conduct additional research on agricultural plant-based products from your state, including grains, fiber, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Access your state's Department of Agriculture website, to identify crop species, native species, environmental issues, and sustainability practices.
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Components of Sustainable Agricultural Design
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Definition
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Role in Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
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Agroecology
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Agroecology is a whole-systems, approach to agriculture based on ecological population and community principles, traditional knowledge of plants and animal, and local food system experiences.
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Agroecology supports sustainable agriculture because it addresses agricultural challenges while maintaining a healthy, functional ecosystem. It does so by relying on natural community regulation and built-in evolutionary checks and balances.
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Ecosystem Drivers
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Plant Community Structure
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Organism Niche
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Community Evolution
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Plant Growth Types
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Complementary Species
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Species Redundancy
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Mosaic Habitat
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Plant, Animal, and Insect Diversity
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Plant Genetic Diversity
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Plant Resource Efficiency
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Productivity and Economics
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Diversifying Crop Species
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Beneficial insects
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Natural, Biological Pest Control
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Farm System Resilience
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Part 2:
Write a 200- to 350- word response that addresses the following:
• Select two components of sustainable agricultural from the table in Part 1. Explain how to apply them to a crop (grain, fiber, or horticultural crop) or an environmental-related agricultural issue in your state.
• Explain how each of the selected components can be applied to agricultural practices in your state to improve agricultural sustainability. Explain how the components work together to support sustainability.
• Describe how native plants, animals, and insects in your state promote agricultural sustainability. Include specific details and examples in your answer.
• Explain whether the application of ecological principles to agricultural systems promotes sustainability. Use evidence from your state or the assigned reading to support your answer.