Challenges related to soil biodiversity research in agroecosystems - Issues within the context of scale of observation

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Fox ◽  
K. B. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Anthropogenic Influences ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Biodiversity Research ◽  
Research Challenges

Soil biodiversity, the study of the variety of life in the soil, has received increasing attention as an outcome of recent national and international initiatives, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, and various programs related to sustainable development of agroecosystems. The broad objectives of this paper are to set the stage for a “state of the art” review of soil biodiversity research in Canadian agricultural systems, to highlight the relevance of soil biodiversity studies at various scales of observation, to acknowledge the importance of soil biodiversity to the soil system with respect to soil functions, and processes and to suggest research challenges and opportunities. Study scale is of critical importance as it determines both the kind of soil biodiversity information and the feasible level of detail (spatially and temporally). At all scales from global to national to regional to landscape to ecosystems ranging to even fine scales of habitat niches at soil particle level, soil biota respond to the physical, chemical and biological constraints of their environment as mediated by environmental and anthropogenic influences. For example, at the landscape level, there exists a mosaic of ecosystems that can be characterized as a continuum ranging from unmanaged (natural), uncontrolled systems regulated primarily by environmental influences to managed, controlled systems regulated primarily by anthropogenic influences. In agroecosystems, soil biota contribute to the decomposition of crop residues and nutrient cycling, soil aggregation and water infiltration, suppression of soil-borne diseases and pests, and detoxification of chemicals. The intensity and duration of environmental and anthropogenic influences on these soil biota will affect their spatial and temporal distribution within this continuum of ecosystems occurring in the landscape and thereby also affect the extent of their capability for contributing towards soil functions and processes. Within this spatial and temporal context, research challenges are discussed. Key words: Soil biodiversity, scale of observation, agroecosystems, soil quality

Earthworms and agricultural systems: Status of knowledge and research in Canada

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Tomlin ◽  
C. A. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Earthworm Species

Since the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, there has been increased interest in issues related to biodiversity, particularly with respect to soil biodiversity and the influence of agricultural practices. This paper is one of a series of papers contributing to a state of the art review initiated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on the status of soil biodiversity research in Canada, particularly with respect to agroecosystems. The objectives of this paper are to provide an overview of earthworm species distribution in Canada by province and territory, and to review research that illuminates our understanding of the ecological relationships of earthworms in agricultural systems. Most Canadian earthworm species are considered exotics having generally been dependent on human activity for their introduction and dispersal throughout the Canadian landscape. Twenty-seven earthworm species have been identified so far in Canada; of these, eight species are native to North America. Suggestions for future research on earthworm biodiversity within an agricultural context are discussed including: the need for increased spatial and temporal information on earthworm distributions across Canada, particularly with respect to Canada’s varied agroecosystems and landscapes; information on the ecology of earthworms with respect to their contributions to the soil system and their interactions with other soil fauna; the need for ecosystem process models relating earthworm contributions to soil structure formation and transport of materials and nutrients within the soil system; and the need to determine threshold levels of earthworm species associations in order to optimise effectively their contributions to soil quality and plant growth. To facilitate these studies, expansion of taxonomic expertise and capability across Canada will be required. Key words: Earthworms, agroecosystems, ecology, species distribution, soil biodiversity

Understanding biological diversity in soil: The UK's Soil Biodiversity Research Programme

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Usher ◽  
Andrew R.J. Sier ◽  
Mike Hornung ◽  
Peter Millard
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Biodiversity Research

scholarly journals Challenging the State: Devolutionary Tenure Transitions for Saving and Expanding Forests

Human Ecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Alden Wily
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Property Relations ◽  
The Will ◽  
Customary Land

AbstractI address a contentious element in forest property relations to illustrate the role of ownership in protecting and expanding of forest cover by examining the extent to which rural communities may legally own forests. The premise is that whilst state-owned protected areas have contributed enormously to forest survival, this has been insufficiently successful to justify the mass dispossession of customary land-owning communities this has entailed. Further, I argue that state co-option of community lands is unwarranted. Rural communities on all continents ably demonstrate the will and capacity to conserve forests – provided their customary ownership is legally recognized. I explore the property rights reforms now enabling this. The replication potential of community protected forestlands is great enough to deserve flagship status in global commitments to expand forest including in the upcoming new Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

scholarly journals A global database of diversified farming effects on biodiversity and yield

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Jones ◽  
Andrea C. Sánchez ◽  
Stella D. Juventia ◽  
Natalia Estrada-Carmona
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Global Database ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

AbstractWith the Convention on Biological Diversity conference (COP15), United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), and United Nations Food Systems Summit, 2021 is a pivotal year for transitioning towards sustainable food systems. Diversified farming systems are key to more sustainable food production. Here we present a global dataset documenting outcomes of diversified farming practices for biodiversity and yields compiled following best standards for systematic review of primary studies and specifically designed for use in meta-analysis. The dataset includes 4076 comparisons of biodiversity outcomes and 1214 of yield in diversified farming systems compared to one of two reference systems. It contains evidence from 48 countries of effects on species from 33 taxonomic orders (spanning insects, plants, birds, mammals, eukaryotes, annelids, fungi, and bacteria) of diversified farming systems producing annual or perennial crops across 12 commodity groups. The dataset presented provides a resource for researchers and practitioners to easily access information on where diversified farming systems effectively contribute to biodiversity and food production outcomes.

Asian Borderlands and the Legal Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 1403-1433 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPH ANTONS
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Cultural Property ◽  
World Intellectual Property Organization ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Nuanced Understanding

AbstractTraditional knowledge related to biodiversity, agriculture, medicine and artistic expressions has recently attracted much interest amongst policy makers, legal academics and social scientists. Several United Nations organizations, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Convention on Biological Diversity under the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), have been working on international models for the protection of such knowledge held by local and indigenous communities. Relevant national, regional or provincial level legislation comes in the form of intellectual property laws and laws related to health, heritage or environmental protection. In practice, however, it has proven difficult to agree on definitions of the subject matter, to delineate local communities and territories holding the knowledge, and to clearly identify the subjects and beneficiaries of the protection. In fact, claims to ‘cultural property’ and heritage have led to conflicts and tensions between communities, regions and nations. This paper will use Southeast Asian examples and case studies to show the importance of concepts such as Zomia, ‘regions of refuge’ and mandala as well as ‘borderlands’ studies to avoid essentialized notions of communities and cultures in order to develop a nuanced understanding of the difficulties for national and international lawmaking in this field. It will also develop a few suggestions on how conflicts and tensions could be avoided or ameliorated.

Protecting Traditional Knowledge Holders' Interests and Preventing Misappropriation—Traditional Knowledge Commons and Biocultural Protocols: Necessary but Not Sufficient?

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Ravi Srinivas
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Access And Benefit Sharing ◽  
Nagoya Protocol ◽  
Prior Informed Consent ◽  
Knowledge Commons

AbstractThe experience of the indigenous communities regarding access and benefit sharing under the national regimes based on provisions of Convention on Biological Diversity and Bonn Guidelines has not been satisfactory. The communities expect that noncommercial values should be respected and misappropriation should be prevented. Some academics and civil society groups have suggested that traditional knowledge commons and biocultural protocols will be useful in ensuring that while noncommercial values are respected, access and benefit sharing takes place on conditions that are acceptable to the communities. This proposal is examined in this context in the larger context of access and benefit sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity and implementing prior informed consent principles in access and benefit sharing. This article examines knowledge commons, provides examples from constructed commons in different sectors and situates traditional knowledge commons in the context of debates on commons and public domain. The major shortcomings of traditional commons and bicultural protocol are pointed out, and it is suggested that these are significant initiatives that can be combined with the Nagoya Protocol to fulfill the expectations of indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Research trends of microplastics in the soil environment: Comprehensive screening of effects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Woong Kim ◽  
Matthias C. Rillig
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Soil Property ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Sensitivity Distribution

AbstractWe collated and synthesized previous studies that reported the impacts of microplastics on soil parameters. The data were classified and integrated to screen for the proportion of significant effects, then we suggest several directions to alleviate the current data limitation in future experiments. We compiled 106 datasets capturing significant effects, which were analyzed in detail. We found that polyethylene and pellets (or powders) were the most frequently used microplastic composition and shape for soil experiments. The significant effects mainly occurred in broad size ranges (0.1–1 mm) at test concentrations of 0.1%–10% based on soil dry weight. Polyvinyl chloride and film induced significant effects at lower concentrations compared to other compositions and shapes, respectively. We adopted a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and soil property effect distribution (SPED) method using available data from soil biota, and for soil properties and enzymes deemed relevant for microplastic management. The predicted-no-effect-concentration (PNEC)-like values needed to protect 95% of soil biota and soil properties was estimated to be between 520 and 655 mg kg−1. This study was the first to screen microplastic levels with a view toward protecting the soil system. Our results should be regularly updated (e.g., quarterly) with additional data as they become available.

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