Biodiversity in Agricultural Production Systems

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Brings together the work of leading researchers representing a wide array of fields Provides a fresh perspective while documenting recent research on the principles and features of biodiversity critical to maintaining a sustainable productive agro-ecosystem management Collects data on soil space diversity and dynamics Analyses the metabolic diversity of microorganisms, combined with distribution and functions of soil enzymes Details the principles behind order and sustainability in natural successions and agriculture questions, providing insight on how food chains in agricultural production systems can be modelledWhile modern science has always recognized the central role that biodiversity plays in the ecological processes that maintain the Earth's equilibrium, our increasing knowledge of nature has deepened our appreciation of this principle. Consequently, those involved with implementing and maintaining sustainable agriculture systems have begun to take a far more sophisticated approach to understanding and making use of the components and mechanics of biodiversity. Providing a comprehensive and highly practical exploration of the subject, Biodiversity in Agricultural Production Systems examines abiotic ecosystem diversity and biological complexity at every relevant level. Leading researchers detail subspecies diversity, covering ecotypes, lifecycles, genes, physiology, and behavior. They also discuss species richness and supraspecies diversity, which includes foodweb interactions and non-trophic relationships, as well as above- and belowground relationships.Exploring various facets of agricultural crops and cultivation practices, this inter-disciplinary volume-Gives an overview of the pore space dynamic in agroecosystems where most soil microorganisms reside, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and Tardigrada Examines the highly diverse and prominent role played by earthworms Looks at the metabolic processes occurring in soils that result in the release of greenhouse gases Outlines principles and strategies of order between interacting molecules, cells, species and communitiesLooks at mechanisms of competition, exploring growth regulation, transformation, and feeding strategies, as well as toxin production, mutation, and biofilm formationDiscusses matter recycling and the diversity of microbial metabolism in soilsShows how long-term observation plots are used to assesssoil qualityBiodiversity in Agricultural Production Systems provides important information for those involved with researching and implementing sustainable agricultural systems, as well as those addressing specific challenges related to soil degradation, water management, and climatic impacts. It also provides recent research and fresh perspectives to enhance the approaches of those working in horticulture, biology, and the environmental sciences. Subjects of the book : Life Sciences Agricultural Sciences Biological Sciences Contents of the book : IntroductionBiodiversity in Crop Production Systems;Agro-Diversity - Genetic Diversity in Crops and Cropping Systems; Soil Space Diversity and its Dynamics - Qualitative and Quantitative Considerations; Microbial Diversity in Organic Soil Amendments - Liquid and Solid Manure, Compost, Sewage Sludge Discerning the diversity of soil prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea) and their impact on agricultureMicrobial diversity in the rhizosphere: highly resolving molecular methodology to study plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteriaDiversity of Biofilms and their Formation Processes; Biodiversity of Chytrids; Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi;Diversity of Nematodes; Diversity of Tardigrada; Biodiversity of Lumbricid Earthworms in Temperate Agroeco-systems; Soil Enzymes - Spatial Distribution and Function in Agroecosystems; Metabolic Diversity of Microrganisms in Agricultural Soils; Gasous Emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O and NO) from Diverse Agricultural Production Systems; Principles Behind Order and Sustainability in Natural Successions and Agriculture; Food Web Interactions and Modeling; Soil Quality Assessment and Long-term Field Observation with Emphasis on Biological Soil Characteristics;