How can cultivated plant biodiversity contribute to the transformation and the "ecologization" of agriculture in Southern countries? Based on extensive field work in the Southern countries, a great deal of scientific progress is presented in all areas affecting agriculture (agronomy, plant breeding and crop protection, cultivation systems, etc.) in order to intensify the ecological processes in cultivated plots and at the scale of rural landscapes.
Winner of the 2019 Turku Book Award from the European Society for Environmental History The Albufera Natural Park, an area ten kilometers south of Valencia that is widely regarded as the birthplace of paella, has long been prized by residents and visitors alike. Since the twentieth century, the disparate visions of city dwellers, farmers, fishermen, scientists, politicians, and tourists have made this working landscape a site of ongoing conflict over environmental conservation in Europe, the future of Spain, and Valencian identity. In Cultivating Nature, Sarah Hamilton explores the Albufera’s contested lands and waters, which have supported and been transformed by human activity for a millennium, in order to understand regional, national, and global social histories. She argues that efforts to preserve biological and cultural diversity must incorporate the interests of those who live within heavily modified and long-exploited ecosystems such as the Albufera de Valencia. Shifting between local struggles and global debates, this fascinating environmental history reveals how Franco’s dictatorship, Spain’s integration with Europe, and the crisis in European agriculture have shaped the Albufera, its users, and its inhabitants.
**Cultivating the City Transform Your Urban Space into a Thriving Oasis** Are you ready to transform your urban environment into a lush, green sanctuary? "Cultivating the City" is your comprehensive guide to urban agriculture, providing the tools and knowledge to turn any concrete jungle into a thriving garden. Begin your journey with an insightful introduction to the rise and benefits of urban agriculture. Discover how creating green spaces can lead to community transformation and improved quality of life. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, this book offers practical solutions tailored to city living. In "Choosing the Right Urban Garden Project," you'll learn how to assess community needs and evaluate available spaces, ensuring that your garden project is perfectly suited to your environment. From small to large-scale ventures, this guide covers it all. "Creating Community Gardens" reveals step-by-step instructions for securing land, planning, designing, and involving community members. Even if space is at a premium, our chapters on Rooftop and Balcony Gardens, and Vertical Gardens and Green Walls, provide creative solutions for maximizing limited space. Dive into the fascinating world of soilless gardening with chapters on Hydroponics and Aquaponics. Learn how to set up these innovative systems and integrate aquaculture for sustainable food production. For those looking to grow in confined spaces, the sections on Microgreens and Container Gardening offer expert tips for year-round success. Empower your community with our chapter on Community Engagement and Education. From conducting workshops to building support networks, this guide shows you how to foster participation and interest. Explore the myriad Health Benefits of Urban Gardening, from nutritional advantages to mental and physical well-being. Discover ways to turn urban gardens into Revenue Streams, reduce food costs, and boost local economies in the Economic Impact chapter. Understand the environmental and sustainability benefits of urban farming with comprehensive insights into reducing carbon footprints, promoting biodiversity, and waste reduction. Navigate the complexities of urban agriculture policy and advocate for supportive frameworks with detailed case studies of successful implementations. Stay ahead of the curve with sections on Technological Innovations in Urban Gardening, featuring smart tools, remote monitoring, and future trends. "Cultivating the City" also includes inspiring Case Studies from around the globe, providing concrete examples of successful urban gardens. Learn how to overcome common challenges and ensure the sustainability of your projects. Envision the future of urban agriculture as you explore emerging trends and opportunities. Reap the rewards of your efforts and become part of a greener, more sustainable urban future. Embark on your urban gardening adventure today with "Cultivating the City," and watch your city bloom!
This book presents a wide range of contributions addressing diverse aspects of biodiversity exploitation and conservation. These collectively provide a snapshot of ongoing action and state-of-the-art research, rather than a series of necessarily more superficial overviews. Examples presented here derive from studies in 17 countries including Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. These reports will stimulate future work toward attaining a sustainable balance between the conservation and exploitation of biodiversity.
Describes how farmers manage, maintain, and benefit from biodiversity in agricultural production systems. Includes the most recent research and developments in the maintenance of local diversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.
The papers included in this Special Issue address a variety of important aspects of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, including definitions, descriptions, and illustrations of different components and their value for food and nutrition security, breeding, and environmental services. Furthermore, comprehensive information is provided regarding conservation approaches and techniques for plant genetic resources, policy aspects, and results of biological, genetic, morphological, economic, social, and breeding-related research activities. The complexity and vulnerability of (plant) biodiversity and its inherent genetic resources, as an integral part of the contextual ecosystem and the human web of life, are clearly demonstrated in this Special Issue, and for several encountered problems and constraints, possible approaches or solutions are presented to overcome these.
“An empowering and expertly curated look at the horticultural world.” —Gardens Illustrated In this beautiful and empowering book, Jennifer Jewell introduces 75 inspiring women. Working in wide-reaching fields that include botany, floral design, landscape architecture, farming, herbalism, and food justice, these influencers are creating change from the ground up. Profiled women include flower farmer Erin Benzakein; codirector of Soul Fire Farm Leah Penniman; plantswoman Flora Grubb; edible and cultural landscape designer Leslie Bennett; Caribbean-American writer and gardener Jamaica Kincaid; soil scientist Elaine Ingham; landscape designer Ariella Chezar; floral designer Amy Merrick, and many more. Rich with personal stories and insights, Jewell’s portraits reveal a devotion that transcends age, locale, and background, reminding us of the profound role of green growing things in our world—and our lives.
The book discusses one of the major challenges in agriculture which is delivery of cultivate produce to the end consumers with best possible price and quality. Currently all over the world, it is found that around 50% of the farm produce never reaches the end consumer due to wastage and suboptimal prices. The authors present solutions to reduce the transport cost, predictability of prices on the past data analytics and the current market conditions, and number of middle hops and agents between the farmer and the end consumer using IoT-based solutions. Again, the demand by consumption of agricultural products could be predicted quantitatively; however, the variation of harvest and production by the change of farm's cultivated area, weather change, disease and insect damage, etc., could be difficult to be predicted, so that the supply and demand of agricultural products has not been controlled properly. To overcome, this edited book designed the IoT-based monitoring system to analyze crop environment and the method to improve the efficiency of decision making by analyzing harvest statistics. The book is also useful for academicians working in the areas of climate changes.
Shifting cultivation is one of the oldest forms of subsistence agriculture and is still practised by millions of poor people in the tropics. Typically it involves clearing land (often forest) for the growing of crops for a few years, and then moving on to new sites, leaving the earlier ground fallow to regain its soil fertility. This book brings together the best of science and farmer experimentation, vividly illustrating the enormous diversity of shifting cultivation systems as well as the power of human ingenuity. Some critics have tended to disparage shifting cultivation (sometimes called 'swidden cultivation' or 'slash-and-burn agriculture') as unsustainable due to its supposed role in deforestation and land degradation. However, the book shows that such indigenous practices, as they have evolved over time, can be highly adaptive to land and ecology. In contrast, 'scientific' agricultural solutions imposed from outside can be far more damaging to the environment and local communities. The book focuses on successful agricultural strategies of upland farmers, particularly in south and south-east Asia, and presents over 50 contributions by scholars from around the world and from various disciplines, including agricultural economics, ecology and anthropology. It is a sequel to the much praised "Voices from the Forest: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Sustainable Upland Farming" (RFF Press, 2007), but all chapters are completely new and there is a greater emphasis on the contemporary challenges of climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Are you ready to embark on a journey that harmonizes your life with the rhythms of nature? "Farming for the Future" is not just an eBook—it's an indispensable guide to transforming your living space, whether rural or urban, into a thriving homestead that fosters sustainability, resilience, and harmony with the earth. This riveting guide offers a deep dive into sustainable homesteading—an age-old practice, now with a modern twist, addressing today's ecological challenges and a growing desire for independence. Each chapter unfolds a new layer of knowledge, a step-by-step approach to creating and nurturing a homestead that can stand the test of time and climate change. From the very essence of sustainable homesteading to the technological innovations that compliment it, "Farming for the Future" is meticulously structured to ensure that every area of homestead development is covered. Learn about soil health and the secrets of water management to create a lush environment that supports both plant and animal life. Discover how to harness renewable energy solutions that diminish your carbon footprint while maintaining efficiency. Explore eco-friendly construction, diversified farming methods, and integrated pest management, understanding how each aspect of homesteading contributes to a greater good. The book provides essential tactics for livestock management, ensuring ethical treatment and welfare, and unfolds innovative ways to market your homestead's produce. Dive into community engagement, and how to inspire others while amplifying the voice of sustainability in policy advocacy. Learn the importance of not only preserving the bounty of your garden but also nourishing strong bonds within your community through education and shared experiences. "Farming for the Future" challenges you to rethink conventional farming by incorporating global perspectives, permaculture principles, and a strong emphasis on personal resilience. It considers all angles, from legal frameworks to managing finances and even blending artistic expression into your homestead—an essential balance between functionality and beauty. This comprehensive guide promises not just an array of skills but also a transformation in mindset. It's about nurturing a space that is not only productive but is a source of strength, joy, and refuge. Join the many who have already taken the first steps towards a sustainable lifestyle and secure your copy of "Farming for the Future". Create a legacy of abundance, self-reliance, and environmental consciousness. It's time to sow the seeds of change and reap a future where both you and the planet thrive.
