Agricultural Ecosystems
Agricultural Ecosystems - Related Videos
01:17
What is an Ecosystem?
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2019
Overview An ecosystem is the interaction between all abiotic and biotic factors in an environment and can be classified as terrestrial or aquatic. Terrestrial ecosystems are categorized based on the climate, including annual temperature, rainfall, and seasonality. Aquatic ecosystems are separated further into freshwater and marine, and then by depth, which influences water temperature and the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water. Terrestrial Ecosystems Terrestrial ecosystems are...
10:48
Nutrients in Aquatic Ecosystems
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential plant nutrients found in aquatic ecosystems and both are monitored as a part of water quality testing because in excess amounts they can cause significant water quality problems. Nitrogen in water is measured as the common form nitrate (NO3-) that is dissolved in water and readily absorbed by photosynthesizers such as algae. The common form of phosphorus measured is phosphate...
12:50
Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds
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Cited by 3 •
2017
With the advancement of technology and the rise in end-user expectations, the need and use of higher temporal resolution data for pollutant load estimation has increased. This protocol describes a method for continuous in situ water quality monitoring to obtain higher temporal resolution data for informed water resource management decisions.
08:49
Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff
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Cited by 4 •
2017
This article summarizes the design attributes and the effectiveness of treatment systems that treat urban stormwater and agriculture irrigation runoff to remove pesticides and other contaminants associated with aquatic toxicity.
03:06
The Soil Ecosystem
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2026
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:Inorganic mineral matter, which constitutes about 40 to 45 percent of the soil volume.Organic matter, also known as humus, which makes up about 5 percent of the soil volume.Water and air, covering about 50 percent of...
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Energy flow and nutrient cycling connect crops, livestock, soil organisms, water, and management activities. Planting, fertilization, grazing, irrigation, and harvest alter how resources enter, move through, and leave the system. Examining these pathways helps biologists evaluate whether production practices support continued productivity while maintaining the ecological processes required for soil health and system function.
Biodiversity affects the range of organisms participating in an agricultural system, including crops, pests, pollinators, livestock, and soil organisms. Changes in species composition can alter resource availability, pest pressures, and ecological relationships. Maintaining or increasing diversity through practices such as crop diversification can therefore support system stability while contributing to productivity and broader ecosystem health.
Soil organisms are important participants in nutrient cycling and soil health. Their interactions with crops and the surrounding soil influence how biological resources support plant production. Farming practices can change these conditions, so conservation tillage, efficient water use, and other management choices are evaluated partly for their effects on soil organisms and the long-term functioning of the system.
Climate conditions and water availability influence resource access, plant growth, and the balance among organisms in managed agricultural systems. Irrigation can modify water availability, while climate variation can change how effectively crops, livestock, soil organisms, pests, and pollinators interact. Studying these relationships helps identify management approaches that support productivity and resilience under changing conditions.
Researchers can examine soil health, biodiversity, pests, pollinators, climate conditions, and productivity as connected indicators rather than isolated features. They can then relate these observations to practices such as planting, irrigation, fertilization, grazing, and harvest. This approach reveals how management changes ecological interactions and helps evaluate whether production is balanced with long-term environmental health.
Integrated pest management is useful when producers need to address pests while considering the wider ecological system. Its relevance comes from recognizing interactions among crops, pests, beneficial organisms, soil, water, and management practices. Within agricultural biology, this approach supports production goals while helping maintain biodiversity, pollinator relationships, and the ecosystem processes that contribute to resilience.
Sustainable practices aim to maintain agricultural productivity without disregarding the ecological functions that support long-term system health. Crop diversification, conservation tillage, efficient water use, and integrated pest management address different pressures involving species composition, soil, water, pests, and biodiversity. Together, they help balance production of food, fiber, or fuel with ecosystem services and environmental health.