Part Ⅰ Theoretical Framework 3
Unit 1 Context of Agroecology 3
Chapter 1 Agriculture and its anthropocentric sciences 3
1.1 What are agriculture,ecology and agroecology？ 3
1.2 Natural ecosystems versus people-centric ecosystems and agroecosystems 11
1.3 "Making money and respecting the environment" 12
1.4 What we produce is determined by what we consume:Rethinking the role of the modern supermarket 13
Literatures cited in this chapter 14
Chapter 2 Agroecology:Science of synthesis of ecology and agriculture 16
2.1 Agroecology:Bridging ecology and agronomy 16
2.2 Agroecology:The ecology of food systems 22
2.3 Global food system:Two case analyses of basic agroecology 26
Literatures cited in this chapter 31
Unit 2 Basic Analysis of Agroecosystems 33
Chapter 3 Agroecosystem and its analysis 33
3.1 What is an agroecosystem？ 33
3.2 The hierarchies of agroecosystems 35
3.3 The properties of agroecosystems 36
3.4 Agroecosystem analysis 39
Literatures cited in this chapter 42
Chapter 4 Energy flow and matter cycle in agroecosystems 43
4.1 Energy flow and matter cycle in a natural ecosystem 43
4.2 Energy flow in agroecosystems 46
4.3 Matter cycle in agroecosystems 47
Literatures cited in this chapter 48
Chapter 5 Agroclimate and agriculture's roles in global climate change 49
5.1 Climate change,global warming and its trends 49
5.2 Agroclimate and climate change related to agriculture 53
5.3 Adaptation and mitigation to the climate change in agriculture 57
Literatures cited in this chapter 58
Chapter 6 Water in agroecosystems 59
6.1 Water resources in the global ecosystem 59
6.2 Water in agroecosystems 61
6.3 Aspects of water management in agroecosystems 64
Literatures cited in this chapter 65
Chapter 7 Cultivated soils and soil organisms 66
7.1 Formation,classification and functions of soils 66
7.2 Soil nutrient cycling 73
7.3 Soil management in agriculture 78
Literatures cited in this chapter 82
Chapter 8 Agrobiodiversity and agroecosystem stability 83
8.1 Biodiversity 83
8.2 Biodiversity in agroecosystems 87
8.3 Regenerating biodiversity in agroecosystems 90
Literatures cited in this chapter 95
Unit 3 Agroecosystematic Processes and Their Anthropocentric Problems 97
Chapter 9 Land preparation 97
9.1 The functions of land preparation 97
9.2 The procedures of land preparation 97
9.3 Tillage system 98
Literatures cited in this chapter 105
Chapter 10 Erosion and soil degradation:"Keep your soil covered" 106
10.1 Soil erosion 106
10.2 Land degradation 114
10.3 Keep your soil covered 117
Literatures cited in this chapter 120
Chapter 11 Resources and wastes in agroecosystems 121
11.1 What are resources and wastes in agroecosystems？ 121
11.2 Animal and plant manures 123
11.3 Compost:Making and using it 126
Literatures cited in this chapter 131
Chapter 12 Natural capital accounting:Ecological footprint and emergy analysis 132
12.1 Ecological footprint(EF):concept and calculation 132
12.2 Emergy analysis 133
12.3 Modified method of natural capital accounting 134
Literatures cited in this chapter 134
Unit 4 Sustainable Production Systems 136
Chapter 13 Domestic livestock systems 136
13.1 Domestication and evolution of agriculture 136
13.2 Animal production and products 140
13.3 Efficiency in animal production 143
Literatures cited in this chapter 145
Chapter 14 Aquaculture systems 146
14.1 Is aquaculture important to world food production？ 146
14.2 The role of aquaculture in human nutrition 147
14.3 The fish species from east to west 148
14.4 Methods and energy efficiency of aquaculture 149
14.5 Sustainable aquaculture systems 150
Literatures cited in this chapter 153
Chapter 15 Cereal-based cropping systems 154
15.1 Why are seeds of cereal so great？ 154
15.2 Cereals for food and feed 156
15.3 Cereal-based cropping systems 158
Literatures cited in this chapter 159
Chapter 16 Vegetable-based production systems 160
16.1 The roles of vegetable in human development 160
16.2 Vegetable production:Global and regional 162
16.3 Scientific aspects of vegetable 162
Literatures cited in this chapter 166
Chapter 17 Sheltered plant production for food and enjoyment 167
17.1 Sheltered plant production:principle and services 167
17.2 Sheltered plant production in Canada 168
Chapter 18 Environmental innovations in the"green"industry 172
18.1 The concept of environmental horticulture 172
18.2 The environmental benefits of plants 173
18.3 Designing an environmental horticulture 174
18.4 Green industry 176
Literatures cited in this chapter 177
Unit 5 Agroecosystem Management:Issues,Problems and Solutions 178
Chapter 19 Agroecosystem health and services:Ecology and economics 178
19.1 Ecosystem services,health and management 178
19.2 Agroecosystem services,health and management 187
Literatures cited in this chapter 190
Chapter 20 A framework for enquiry into agroecosystem management 191
20.1 Farm management systems:Goals and units 191
20.2 Farm systems analysis:Economic and political perspectives 193
20.3 An agro-ecological framework for Integrated Farm Management(IFaM) 196
Literatures cited in this chapter 199
Chapter 21 Animal welfare:A good life for animals 200
21.1 Animal welfare:Concept and principles 200
21.2 Animal welfare:Observations and research 202
Literatures cited in this chapter 206
Chapter 22 Integrated Pest Management(IPM):Case studies 207
22.1 Understanding pests and pest control 207
22.2 Integrated pest management:a strategy of alternatives 210
22.3 Integrated pest management procedures 212
22.4 Case studies in IPM 214
Literatures cited in this chapter 218
Chapter 23 Trends in organic production 219
23.1 Definition,origins and demands of organic agriculture 219
23.2 Approaches to organic agriculture 222
23.3 Organic food regulations 223
Literatures cited in this chapter 225
Chapter 24 Genetically modified crops and their implications 227
24. 1 What is a genetically modified crop？ 227
24. 2 GMO technology 228
24. 3 Advantages of GM crops 230
24. 4 Risks associated with GM crops 231
24. 5 GMO debates 233
Literatures cited in this chapter 234
Part Ⅱ Practical Teaching 237
Practice 1 Supermarket survey 237
Practice 2 Economic plant tour on campus 240
Practice 3 Composting 243
Lab 1 Vegetables:Classification and anatomy 249
Lab 2 Soil profile and texture 255
Lab 3 Seed germination and seedling morphology 258
Course training on agroecology learning style 260