Sustainability based on ecosystem
processes
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1. A recycling of elements
2. Sunlight as a source of energy
3. Carrying capacities are realized
and maintained
4. Biodiversity is maintained
1. A recycling of elements
a. change the one-directional flow
characteristic of pollution streams to a
cycling and recycling of nutrients.
b. recycling will improve soil health and
stability.
c. e.g. organic farming, green manuring, not
using animal dung as a fuel, green belts or
fences along streams, minimum or no-till
cultivation, contour plantings etc.
2. Sunlight as a source of energy
a. the increase in mechanization is
connected to the limited capacity of
the bioshpere to absorb waste
byproducts from fossil fuel burning.
b. e.g. urban smog, acid rain, global
warming, fear of crude oil depletion
c. Alternative like wind and solar
power and animal power when
appropriate.
d. using the front yards to grow
fruits and vegetables instead of
lawns.
3. Carrying capacities are realized
and maintained
a. maintaining a suitable standing biomass to
assure future production while confronted with
increasing per capita consumption, losses in
biodiversity, rainforest destruction,
overfishing, etc.
b. Thermodynamic considerations.
c. Pest management: not all of them pests are
bad but sometimes eradication methods can’t
tell the difference between the good, bad, and
ugly.
4. Biodiversity is maintained
a. crop rotations:changing the crops
to green manure, nitrogen fixation,
pest control, disease control,
agroforestry, energy plantations,
beans and corn, a buffer against
economic considerations
b. plant breeding that maintains a
large germ plasm base:elimination
of monocultures.
Biological Control
1. Is it consistent with principles of
sustainability
2. Are the introductions controllable,
harmful etc.
3. Other
Alternative Pest Control
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Cultural control
Control by natural enemies
Genetic control
Natural chemical control
Cultural control
Cultural control of pests affecting
humans.
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sanitation in food handling
sanitation in personal hygiene
sanitation in water quality
Cultural control of pest affecting lawns,
gardens, etc.
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dutch elm disease
marigolds, chrysanthemums
crop rotation
alternative host elimination
Control by natural enemies
Use of parasitoids
Ladybugs
BT
changes the flow of energy and
cycling of nutrients by changing the
list of who eats who
Genetic control
Genetic barriers
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chemical barriers: phenolic glycosides,
cyanogenic glycosides
Physical barriers: tough leaves,
hirsuteness
Sterile males:screwworm flies
Biotechnology: BT
Natural chemical control
Hormones/phermones
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highly specific
nontoxic?
e.g. molting stimulation
trapping/confusion