Integrated Assessment of Health and Sustainability of Agroecosystems

About this book

Drawing on management theory and practice, this work demonstrates the link between human health and agroecosystem sustainability. Written by a scholar from Kenya, the text provides an in-depth case study with global ramifications, addressing issues that are crucial to the rapidly changing tropics. This case study illustrates how the ideas of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a UN-sponsored initiative involving 1300 authors from 95 counties, can be applied in practice. Exploring ecologically-based complex systems theories along with participatory action research, this book reflects key themes and uses language that has been incorporated by some of the leading organizations in the field.

Contents

General Introduction Global Context Sustainability Agroecosystem Health The Kiambu Agroecosystem Potential Indicators Justification Design and Implementation of an Adaptive, Integrated Approach to Health and Sustainability in a Smallholder-Dominated Agroecosystem Research Strategy and Methods Results Discussion Community Participation and the Integration of Agroecosystem Health and Sustainability Concerns into Practical Decision Making Process and Methods Results Discussion Use of Systems Theory, Directed Graphs, and Pulse Process Models in an Adaptive Approach to Agroecosystem Health and Sustainability Process and Methods Results Discussion Soft System Methodology in the Management of Agroecosystem Health and Sustainability Concerns of a Tropical Highlands Agroecosystem Process and Methods Results Discussion Development of Health and Sustainability Indicators for a Tropical Highlands Agroecosystem Process and Methods Results Discussion An Assessment of Health and Sustainability of a Smallholder-Dominated Tropical Highlands Ecosystem Process and Methods Results Discussion General Discussion Synopsis Sustainability Agroecosystem Health Kiambu Agroecosystem Health and Sustainability Assessment Summary General Conclusions Appendix 1: Questionnaire Used to Carry Out a Census of All the Land-Use Units in the Village Appendix 2: Questionnaire Used for Indicator Measurement at the Land-Use Unit Level Index An Introduction and References appear in each chapter.

Customer Reviews