Harwood, R.R., D. Mutch, M.A. Cavigelli, J.C. Boles, and J. Sanchez
Presented at the All Scientist Meeting (1999-07-20 to 1999-07-21 )
Crop systems are designed and integrated by farmers based, first of all, on economic and physical resources available within the constraints of climate. Design is influenced by farmer preferences, the regulatory environment, and a host of other factors (Figure 1). The selection of crop and cover crop patterns and diversity is based on agronomic research done primarily in an empirical manner. As ecosystem science is applied to production systems we are achieving an understanding of process-level and relational changes in the biology and biogeochemistry of production systems. In most cases production ecology research is linked to outcomes in terms of productivity, and the quantity and quality of ecosystem services. Rarely does it deal with economic efficiency and profitability. On the structure and input side, in ecosystem research rarely do we consider systems structure and inputs as continuous variables. We select specific “treatments” thought to give a response in the process under study. We then busy ourselves with the definition of the dynamics at the process level.If farmers are to include ecosystem knowledge in their design process they need information on how a gradient of inputs, diversity, or crop sequence affects ecosystem process which, in turn, influence outcome. Ecosystems researchers typically deal with inputs (treatments) in the most cursory fashion in the shortest possible “materials and methods” section of research reporting. That portion is of most interest to a farmer. It describes the treatments or “tools” available to influence process, and ultimately, outcome.As several of us work with you to translate findings for farmer (and extension) use, we will be extracting as much understanding as possible on “points of biological intervention (PBI)”. We will be key-wording and categorizing them.The Living Field Laboratory (LFL) has been designed around gradients of plant diversity and chemical subsidy. Our students are quantifying and modeling how continuous management variables influence key soil carbon and nitrogen processes which, in turn, have a major impact on desired outcome. The research is specifically designed to bridge the gaps in applied fashion, between management, process, and outcome. We use relevant LTER treatments as benchmarks.It seems highly likely that the form of PBIs will differ with the type of process. Biogeochemical process information will be different in form from that of organism population structure, and different still for pest/predator relationships.
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