Ecosystem Services: an opportunity for agroecology ?

1. ES and Agroecology Ecosystem Services: an opportunity for agroecology? Marc Dufrêne and Nicolas Dendoncker

2. ES and Agroecology Ecosystem Services: Ecosystems’ dependencies for humanwell-being FOSSIL FUELS SUPPORTING -Soilfertility and structure -Nutrientcycling -Watercycling -Geneticbiodiversity PROVISIONING -Food -Fibres -Agro-fuels FOR BY AGROECO-SYSTEMS REGULATING -Soil maintenance -Pollination -Pest control -Habitat for cropauxiliaries -Water purification -Airquality NOT IN MARKET -Water conservation -Soil conservation -Carbonstorage -Landscapeaesthetics -Spirituality -Habitats for Fauna and Flora FOR BY

3. ES and Agroecology Ecosystem Services: Whyshouldwe care? • Becauseeverybodyelsedoes!

4. ES and Agroecology Ecosystem Services: Whyshouldwe care? • Because an ES assessmentframeworkcanprovide a comprehensiveyetoperationaltool for naturalresource management and land use (including agricultural) planning • Analytical-deliberativeframeworksneed to bedeveloped, e.g. in the context of land consolidation plans • The links between agroecology and ES have however yet to be unraveled

5. ES and Agroecology Impacts Drivers Pressures Ecosystems Services Society Many publications on direct impact of agroecological practices on (functional) biodiversity and ecosystems Only very few on final and global impact on a large diversity of ES

6. ES and Agroecology One meta-analysis on 12 ES : Kremen and Miles, 2012. Ecosystem services in biologically diversified versus conventional farming systems: benefits, externalities, and trade-offs. Ecology and Society. biodiversity soil quality nutrient management water-holding capacity control of weeds control of diseases control of pests pollination services carbon sequestration energy efficiency resistance to climate change crop productivity Weakevidence Strongevidence Positive effect but not sufficient Conclusions : • more research and field experience need to be conducted • as one practice influences multiple ES, research must be holistic • detailed agroecological research is needed to develop crop productivity and region-specific approaches to control of weeds, diseases and pests

7. ES and Agroecology Holisticapproach : nested structure and processes Plot Farm Landscape Multiscalareffect of agroecologicalmethods on ES

8. ES and Agroecology : what are the links ?

9. Capital, work, energy Agroecologicalmethods Mixed varieties Mixed crops Livestocks Abioticfactors Hedgerows Buffer strips Natural areas Landscape Plot - fields Farm s s Crop rotation Covercrops Fallowfields Riparian corridors Woodlots Meadows Bioticfactors Ecosystemservices Functionalagrobiodiversity Soil structure & fertility, water supply, pollination, geneticdiversity, biological control, … Provisioning Nutrition, water supply, materials, energy Cultural Recreational, aesthetic, symbolic values Regulating Pollution, water & mass flow, climate, biotic (Supporting services) Society Farmer Community Neutralbiodiversity Well-being (benefits and values)

10. ES and Agroecology AdaptedfromGliessman(2007) ● X AdaptedfromKremen & Miles (2012) or expected trends Potentiallynegativeeffect

11. ES and Agroecology Agroecologyimprove ES bundles Frommono-functionallandscape Soilqualityregulation Water provision Livestock Water regulation Storm protection Erosion control Timber production Climateregulation Cropcapacity to multi-functional landscape Air quality Pollination Adaptedfrom Maes et al. (2011). European assessment of the provision of ES.

12. ES and Agroecology There are significantcorrelationsbetween the need of • autonomyatfarmlevel and Landscape consolidation • ES balance atlandscapelevel Farm Plot Landscape Harvest Provisioning ES Regulating ES Establish Food Energy Fibers Grazing Milk Supporting ES Cultural ES Animal Manure

13. ES and Agroecology Researchproposal : unraveling the links between agroecology and ecosystem services to facilitate an agroecological transition • Research and fieldexperience on agroecologicalmethods

14. ES and Agroecology One example : AgricultureIsLifeprojectatGx-ABT • Performance of non-conventional agro-ecosystems ? • Valorisation of field residues ? • Tools and methods ? • Alternative valorisationof agricultural products ? Food Biodiversity Water supply Outdoor Materials activities Natural Energy surroundings Biological Pollution control regulation • Climateregulation • Erosion regulation => 15 PhDworkingtogether on 40 ha of experimentalfields 1. Agroforestry 2. Intercropping 3. Agrosylviculture 4. Herbaceousstrips 5. Residue management & covercrops

15. ES and Agroecology Researchproposal : unraveling the links between agroecology and ecosystem services to facilitate an agroecological transition • Research and fieldexperience on agroecologicalmethods • Holistic monitoring of large case studies (mid and long term) • Holistic monitoring of large case studies (mid and long term) • Economic analyses of farms and (local) foodsystems • Economic analyses of farms and (local) foodsystems • Research to optimise landscape structure to maximise ES, farm or local communityautonomy • Research to optimise landscape structure to maximise ES, farm or local communityautonomy • PES analyses to evaluatewhen to support farmconstraints • PES analyses to evaluatewhen to support farmconstraints Thankyou for your attention !