Over three decades, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) has evolved from a cropping systems modelling framework into a widely used platform for analyzing agricultural systems. This e...

Temperate alley-cropping agroforestry with short-rotation coppice is gaining interest due to its multifunctionality in agroecosystems; however, yield uncertainties from potential tree-crop competition...

Our study demonstrates that GLSAs can provide nesting habitat for bumble bees within intensively managed agroecosystems. To maximize their conservation value and to avoid creating ecological traps, l...

Crop rotation and environment regulate ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) via canopy conductance in semi-arid agroecosystems Winter wheat-spring wheat-winter pea rotation has higher WUE and bet...

Cyanobacteria are emerging as multifunctional components of sustainable agroecosystems, with the potential to influence nutrient cycling, soil structure, plant-associated microbiomes, and crop respons...

Solar grazing—the co-location of livestock grazing and photovoltaic energy production—is rapidly expanding globally to mitigate land-use conflicts. Solar facilities are increasingly sited on agricultural land, where both sheep grazing and the promotion of agriculturally beneficial insects are recognized as facilitators of multi-functional agroecosystems, yet how stocking rate shapes beneficial insect communities remains poorly understood. We conducted a replicated, three-year experiment testing six stocking rates (0–10 sheep ha−1) at an operational 18 MW solar facility, sampling bees and lady beetles across three years and four grazing rotations per year. Light grazing at 2 sheep ha−1 supported 38% greater beneficial insect abundance than ungrazed controls, driven primarily by an 83% increase in honey bees. High stocking rates (⩾8 sheep ha−1) reduced bee abundance by 42%–68% and significantly changed insect community composition. A companion study identified 8 sheep ha−1 as the agrotechnological optimum, but our results identify 2 sheep ha−1 as the agroecological optimum in our study region, where beneficial insect abundance and flock health are maximized. These optima did not coincide, indicating a clear tradeoff between ecological and operational objectives. However, at 4 sheep ha−1, beneficial insect communities remained statistically indistinguishable from ungrazed controls while vegetation management effectiveness was greater than at 2 sheep ha−1. Together these results define a synergy–tradeoff boundary with direct implications for targeting agroecological outcomes via the operations and maintenance of solar grazing facilities.

to RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:269:y:2022:i:c:s0378377422002530

Rhizobial genera could benefit cropping systems tremendously because of its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) ability. It offers several functional benefits to agro-ecosystems. We investigated BNF services by Rhizobial genera bacteria in modern agro-ecosystems with desktop research. Following a comprehensive literature review, we addressed some specific points, i.e., what services and benefits do Rhizobial genera bacteria perform throughout the process of BNF?” and “How much is the value of these services?“. To accomplish our research goals, we reviewed the literature and analyzed the ecosystem services (ESs) assessment related to BNF. Initially, a global inventory of the leguminous plants cultivated in agro-ecosystems was collected and documented. Next, each plant’s BNF content was measured and divided into four groups, ranging from extremely high to low. The roles, impacts, and services that BNF provides to agro-ecosystems were all gathered and categorized in the subsequent stage. In this work, we used the updated MEA (BNF-MEA) as the basis of developing a new framework for BNF services (ES). The replacement cost method was used to value the BNF services. Results showed that alfalfa, red clover, and white clover had the highest capacity for BNF. These plants were classified in the “very high’ class. However, three plants, including common bean, mung-bean, and bladder clover, had the lowest ability to produce BNF. According to our findings, BNF can have a significant impact on the provision of 31 services, goods, functions and benefits, both directly and indirectly. The economic value of nitrogen fixation based on approximate estimates varied between 29.10 and 248.60 $/ha. Additionally, South Africa, Australia, and Brazil had far higher economic values of BNF than other chosen nations. Utilizing the BNF service can help farmers in these countries reduce their agricultural production expenses.

October 14, 2026 @ 9:00 am-10:00 am - We’ll hear from 2 synthesis groups focusing on resilience in (primarily) grassland systems. The “Resilience of Productivity” working group, funded through the LTE...