Bommarco, Riccardo
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Review article2018Peer reviewed
Exploiting ecosystem services in agriculture for increased food security
Bommarco, Riccardo; Vico, Giulia; Hallin, Sara
Abstract
Despite contributing to economy and food security, Ecosystem Services (ES) are still not fully exploited in agriculture. Instead, external inputs have been used to boost yields, while exacting costs on public goods. Ecological intensification capitalizes on ecosystem services to enhance and stabilize production and reduce the need for external inputs, while sparing the environment. Of particular relevance are biodiversity-based ES connected to soil fertility, pest control and pollination. Ecological intensification is applicable in all regions, but for food security purposes, particular attention should be dedicated to implement it as ecological enhancement in regions with wide yield gaps, coinciding with poor food security. Diversified cropping system show promise to create win-win situations. Knowledge on ecology and socio-economy of ES will be needed, and agricultural research and innovation need to heed to resource use efficiency, production stability, minimal environmental impact, buffering of extreme events and adaptation to local conditions.
Keywords
Ecosystem service; Ecological intensification; Enhancement; Diversification; Yield gap
Published in
Global Food Security
2018, Volume: 17, pages: 57-63
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Vico, Giulia
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hallin, Sara
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
SLU Authors
Associated SLU-program
SLU Plant Protection Network
Sustainable Development Goals
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
UKÄ Subject classification
Agricultural Science
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Publication identifier
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2018.04.001
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/96125