Relationship between C:N/C:O stoichiometry and ecosystem services in managed production systems

Land use and management intensity can influence provision of ecosystem services (ES). We argue that forest/agroforestry production systems are characterized by relatively higher C:O/C:N and ES value compared to arable production systems. Field investigations on C:N/C:O and 15 ES were determined in three diverse production systems: wheat monoculture (Cwheat), a combined food and energy system (CFE) and a beech forest in Denmark. The C:N/C:O ratios were 194.1/1.68, 94.1/1.57 and 59.5/1.45 for beech forest, CFE and Cwheat, respectively. The economic value of the non-marketed ES was also highest in beech forest (US$1089 ha(-1) yr(-1)) followed by CFE (US$ 800 ha(-1) yr(-1)) and Cwheat (US$339 ha(-1) yr(-1)). The combined economic value was highest in the CFE (US$ 3143 ha(-1) yr(-1)) as compared to the Cwheat (US$2767 ha(-1) yr(-1)) and beech forest (US$ 2365 ha(-1) yr(-1)). We argue that C:N/C:O can be used as a proxy of ES, particularly for the non-marketed ES, such as regulating, supporting and cultural services. These ES play a vital role in the sustainable production of food and energy. Therefore, they should be considered in decision making and developing appropriate policy responses for land use management

Understanding the pathways from biodiversity to agro-ecological outcomes: A new, interactive approach

The adoption of agro-ecological practices in agricultural systems worldwide can contribute to increased food production without compromising future food security, especially under the current biodiversity loss and climate change scenarios. Despite the increase in publications on agro-ecological research and practices during the last 35 years, a weak link between that knowledge and changed farmer practices has led to few examples of agro-ecological protocols and effective delivery systems to agriculturalists. In an attempt to reduce this gap, we synthesised the main concepts related to biodiversity and its functions by creating a web-based interactive spiral (www.biodiversityfunction.com). This tool explains and describes a pathway for achieving agro-ecological outcomes, starting from the basic principle of biodiversity and its functions to enhanced biodiversity on farms. Within this pathway, 11 key steps are identified and sequentially presented on a web platform through which key players (farmers, farmer networks, policy makers, scientists and other stakeholders) can navigate and learn. Because in many areas of the world the necessary knowledge needed for achieving the adoption of particular agro-ecological techniques is not available, the spiral approach can provide the necessary conceptual steps needed for obtaining and understanding such knowledge by navigating through the interactive pathway. This novel approach aims to improve our understanding of the sequence from the concept of biodiversity to harnessing its power to improve prospects for ‘sustainable intensification’ of agricultural systems worldwide

Overview of data collection and sampling frequency during the trial period.

<p>Overview of data collection and sampling frequency during the trial period.</p

Schematic presentation of the combined food and energy system at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

<p>Schematic presentation of the combined food and energy system at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.</p

Relationships (trend line) between the economic value of non-marketed and marketed ecosystem services with C:N/C:O ratios in three production systems (■: C_wheat, ▲: CFE_average, ●: beech forest).

<p>Relationships (trend line) between the economic value of non-marketed and marketed ecosystem services with C:N/C:O ratios in three production systems (■: C_wheat, ▲: CFE_average, ●: beech forest).</p

Economic values of four categories of ecosystem services in three production systems; C_wheat, CFE_avearge and beech forest.

<p>Economic values of four categories of ecosystem services in three production systems; C_wheat, CFE_avearge and beech forest.</p

C:N stoichiometry of aboveground (grain, wood, straw/fodder, leaf, litter), below-ground (root) and soil in combined food and energy (CFE) system, conventional wheat (C_wheat) and beech forest.

<p>C:N stoichiometry of aboveground (grain, wood, straw/fodder, leaf, litter), below-ground (root) and soil in combined food and energy (CFE) system, conventional wheat (C_wheat) and beech forest.</p