Plant Production for Sustainable Society as a Semi-closed Ecosystem

Plant Production for Sustainable Society as a Semi-closed Ecosystem PDF Author: Yoshiaki Kitaya
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9819702488
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description

Plant Production for Sustainable Society as a Semi-closed Ecosystem

Plant Production for Sustainable Society as a Semi-closed Ecosystem PDF Author: Yoshiaki Kitaya
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9819702488
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description


Plant Production for Sustainable Society as a Semi-closed Ecosystem

Plant Production for Sustainable Society as a Semi-closed Ecosystem PDF Author: Yoshiaki Kitaya
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9789819702473
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book introduces the concept of a semi-closed ecosystem, which is necessary for the social implementation of plant production, such as agriculture, in harmony with the environment. While aiming at achieving a sustainable balance of human activities and environmental protection, this book focuses on the material cycle within each semi-closed system listed below. 1) Mangrove forests as semi-closed systems in coastal ecosystems 2) Environmental control in facility-based plant production systems as semi-closed systems 3) Control of the gaseous environment in the root zone as a semi-closed system 4) Controlled ecological life support system as a completely closed ecosystem in space 5) A sustainable balance of human activities and environmental conservation in urban ecosystems. Developing efficient food production with less environmental loads is an important issue. Plant production is vital to human health and welfare, especially in urban areas as semi-closed ecosystems. Producing food efficiently under consideration of environmental protection is necessary with material-cycling systems, especially in semi-closed ecosystems. Establishing a resource recycling production system with reduced waste emissions has also become important in agriculture. Plant production will play an important role not only in food production (Goal 2 in SDGs) but also in many other goals. This book explains how we must regard plant production as semi-closed ecosystems, reduce material and energy resource inputs, and recycle waste emissions generated during production and consumption processes to solve the various issues. Students and researchers studying Agricultural Environmental Engineering, Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Systems Design for Sustainable Society, Environmental Control in Agriculture, etc., will find this publication a helpful reference.

Sustainable Intensification

Sustainable Intensification PDF Author: Jules N. Pretty
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136529276
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 33

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 33 PDF Author: Eric Lichtfouse
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319990764
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
This book presents advanced knowledge on the relationships between climate change and agriculture, and various adaptation techniques such as low tillage, salt-adapted beneficial microbes and closed systems. Climate change is unavoidable but adaptation is possible. Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take place on a global scale. Climate change affects agriculture through changes in average temperatures, rainfall and climate extremes; changes in pests and diseases; changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide; changes in the nutritional quality of some foods; and changes in sea level.

Grassland-Invertebrate Interactions: Plant Productivity, Resilience and Community Dynamics

Grassland-Invertebrate Interactions: Plant Productivity, Resilience and Community Dynamics PDF Author: Ivan Hiltpold
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889452905
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Natural and anthropogenic grasslands such as prairies, meadows, rangelands, and pastures cover more than 40% of the planet’s surface and provide a wealth of ecological services. Grasslands alone store one third of the global carbon stocks and grass roots, through their specific architectures, ensure water cycling and prevent the erosion of fertile topsoil. In addition, grasslands are of vital importance for human food production as vast areas of rangelands and pastures provide feed for livestock. Pastoral legumes mobilize atmospheric nitrogen and improve fertility of arable soils. Not least, grasslands are an essential genetic resource. The three major crop species that feed half of the global population have been bred from wild grasses. Ancestors of our contemporary turf cultivars, common components of urban landscapes and recreation spaces, originated from wild grasslands. Although natural and managed grasslands represent pivotal ecosystems, many aspects of how they function are poorly understood. To date, most attention has focused on grassland primary producers (i.e. forage plants) and mammalian grazers but invertebrates are likely to play an equally, if not more important role in grassland ecosystem functioning. In Australian pastures, for example, the biomass of root-feeding scarab beetles can often exceed that of sheep and plant damage caused by invertebrates is sometimes equivalent to an average dairy cow’s grass consumption. Indeed, grasslands are one of the most densely populated ecosystems with invertebrates being probably the most important engineers that shape both plant communities and the grassland as a whole. In a rapidly changing world with increasing anthropogenic pressure on grasslands, this Research Topic focuses on: 1. How grassland habitats shape invertebrate biodiversity 2. Impacts of climate change on grassland-invertebrate interactions 3. Plant and invertebrate pest monitoring and management 4. Plant-mediated multitrophic interactions and biological control in grasslands 5. Land use and grassland invertebrates 6. Plant resistance to invertebrate pests Given the increasing demand for food and land for human habitation, unprecedented threats to grasslands are anticipated. Resilient to some extent, these key ecosystems need to be better comprehended to guarantee their sustainable management and ecosystem services.

Integrated Approaches to Water Pollution Problems

Integrated Approaches to Water Pollution Problems PDF Author: J. Bau
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0203215931
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 275

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Book Description
Papers presented at the International Symposium of Integrated Approaches to Water Pollution Problems [SISIPPA 89], Laboratorio Nacional de Engenharia Civil, Lisbon, Portugal, June 1989.

Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems

Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems PDF Author: John M. Kimble
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351444808
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 455

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Book Description
Tropical ecosystems - the regions between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn - play an important role in global processes, economic issues, and political concerns. In their natural state, tropical ecosystems support a large quantity of above- and below-ground biomass, and constitute a major part of the terrestrial carbon pool. Conversion of the natural ecosystem to agriculture and forestry ecosystems disturbs this ecological balance. Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems presents data on carbon pool fluxes from case studies in 12 countries in tropical regions. The chapters cover: Characteristics of tropical ecosystems Soil and biotic carbon pools Impacts of land use and soil management Slash-and-burn practices Crop residue and fertility management This volume adds to the understanding of pedospheric processes in tropical ecosystems and how to better use soils as a sink for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. With Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems you will understand the link between soil productivity, environmental quality and the global carbon cycle, not only in these ecologically sensitive regions but worldwide.

Function of Soils for Human Societies and the Environment

Function of Soils for Human Societies and the Environment PDF Author: Emmanuel Frossard
Publisher: Geological Society of London
ISBN: 9781862392076
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
The papers in this volume address issues of soil formation, soil management, soil protection and the role of biodiversity that must be considered for a sustainable soil use. The papers are aimed at geoscientists in the broadest sense, and others concerned with soil use who will also find chapters relevant to their interests. Soils knowledge used within other Earth sciences is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems, for the solutions of problems in environmental quality and for sustainable use of soils by humans.

A Framework for Ecological Evaluation Oriented at the Establishment and Management of Protected Areas

A Framework for Ecological Evaluation Oriented at the Establishment and Management of Protected Areas PDF Author: Martha Teresa Fandiño Lozano
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Ecology
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description


Soil Degradation and Restoration in Africa

Soil Degradation and Restoration in Africa PDF Author: Rattan Lal
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351593307
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 351

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Book Description
Soil degradation is a widespread problem in Africa resulting in decreased agricultural productivity while demand for food continues to increase. Degradation is caused by accelerated erosion, acidification, contamination, depletion of soil organic matter and plant nutrients, and salinization. The major cause of soil degradation in Africa is uncontrolled and excessive grazing in the savanna regions followed by deforestation and the use of inappropriate and extractive farming practices. Perpetual neglect of the health of soils in Africa can exacerbate the already serious problems of food and nutritional insecurity and environmental degradation. Food and nutritional security of the growing population of Africa can only be achieved if degraded soils are restored and soils of agroecosystems are managed prudently and sustainably. Ignoring soils and taking the fragile, finite and precious soil resources for granted is the principal cause of poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. The downward spiral must be reversed through soil restoration measures based on translating science into action. This book describes the soils of Africa, processes of soil degradation, extent and severity of soil degradation, and the impacts of degradation processes on food and nutritional security. Features: Explores the extent and severity of soil degradation in Africa Analyzes the cause–effect relationship between anthropogenic activities and soil degradation Reviews processes of soil degradation in Africa including erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion, and decline of soil organic matter Addresses the effect of climate change on soil degradation in Africa. Explains how soil degradation causes food and nutritional insecurity Part of the Advances in Soil Sciences series, this volume is specifically devoted to the processes and factors that cause soil degradation and the challenges and potential for remediation and restoration of soil health in Africa.