The Experts below are selected from a list of 2730 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Sonja Bach - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Permaculture—Scientific Evidence of Principles for the Agroecological Design of Farming Systems
    Sustainability, 2018
    Co-Authors: Julius Krebs, Sonja Bach
    Abstract:

    Modern industrial agriculture is largely responsible for environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and alteration of biogeochemical cycles or greenhouse gas emission. Agroecology, as a scientific discipline as well as an agricultural practice and movement, emerged as a response to these problems, with the goal to create a more sustainable agriculture. Another response was the emergence of Permaculture, a design system based on design principles, as well as a framework for the methods of ecosystem mimicry and complex system optimization. Its emphasis, being on a conscious design of agroecosystems, is the major difference to other alternative agricultural approaches. Agroecology has been a scientific discipline for a few decades already, but only recently have design principles for the reorganization of faming systems been formulated, whereas Permaculture practitioners have long been using design principles without them ever being scrutinized. Here, we review the scientific literature to evaluate the scientific basis for the design principles proposed by Permaculture co-originator, David Holmgren. Scientific evidence for all twelve principles will be presented. Even though Permaculture principles describing the structure of favorable agroecosystems were quite similar to the agroecological approach, Permaculture in addition provides principles to guide the design, implementation, and maintenance of resilient agroecological systems.

  • Permaculture-scientific evidence of principles for the agroecological design of farming systems
    Sustainability (Switzerland), 2018
    Co-Authors: Julius Krebs, Sonja Bach
    Abstract:

    Modern industrial agriculture is largely responsible for environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and alteration of biogeochemical cycles or greenhouse gas emission. Agroecology, as a scientific discipline as well as an agricultural practice and movement, emerged as a response to these problems, with the goal to create a more sustainable agriculture. Another response was the emergence of Permaculture, a design system based on design principles, as well as a framework for the methods of ecosystem mimicry and complex system optimization. Its emphasis, being on a conscious design of agroecosystems, is the major difference to other alternative agricultural approaches. Agroecology has been a scientific discipline for a few decades already, but only recently have design principles for the reorganization of faming systems been formulated, whereas Permaculture practitioners have long been using design principles without them ever being scrutinized. Here, we review the scientific literature to evaluate the scientific basis for the design principles proposed by Permaculture co-originator, David Holmgren. Scientific evidence for all twelve principles will be presented. Even though Permaculture principles describing the structure of favorable agroecosystems were quite similar to the agroecological approach, Permaculture in addition provides principles to guide the design, implementation, and maintenance of resilient agroecological systems.

Sarah Taylor Lovell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Diversification and labor productivity on US Permaculture farms
    Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 2017
    Co-Authors: Rafter Sass Ferguson, Sarah Taylor Lovell
    Abstract:

    The relationship between diversification and labor productivity is a pressing issue for diversified farming systems (DFS), which must compete with the high labor productivity of specialized and mechanized industrial farming systems. Synergies between multiple production systems represent an alternative pathway for enhancing labor productivity, contrasting with the economies of scale achieved by industrial farming. Facing a lack of technical and institutional support for managing diversified systems, DFS turn to grassroots agroecological networks for support. Permaculture is a grassroots network with an emphasis on diversified production that—despite its international scope and high public profile—has received little scholarly attention. In this exploratory study we assessed the relationship between diversification, labor productivity and involvement with Permaculture, using data from 196 enterprises (i.e., distinct sources of income or aspects of a farm business) on 36 Permaculture farms in the USA. We characterized diversification in two ways: by income at the level of the whole farm, and by labor for production enterprises only. By fitting a multilevel model of labor productivity (enterprises nested within farms) we assessed the evidence for synergies in production, i.e., positive relationships between diversification and returns to labor. Results indicated that both production diversity and level of involvement in the Permaculture network had significant positive effects on labor productivity. This effect disappeared, however, when both diversity and participation were at their highest levels. Results also indicate that high levels of diversification shift tree crops from the lowest labor productivity of any type of production enterprise to the highest. Through this first ever (to our knowledge) systematic investigation of Permaculture farms, our results provide support for the presence of production synergies in DFS, and for the role of Permaculture in helping farmers achieve these synergies.

  • Permaculture for agroecology: design, movement, practice, and worldview. A review
    Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2014
    Co-Authors: Rafter Sass Ferguson, Sarah Taylor Lovell
    Abstract:

    Agroecology is a promising alternative to industrial agriculture, with the potential to avoid the negative social and ecological consequences of input-intensive production. Transitioning to agroecological production is, however, a complex project that requires diverse contributions from the outside of scientific institutions. Agroecologists therefore collaborate with traditional producers and agroecological movements. Permaculture is one such agroecological movement, with a broad international distribution and a unique approach to system design. Despite a high public profile, Permaculture has remained relatively isolated from scientific research. Though the potential contribution of Permaculture to agroecological transition is great, it is limited by this isolation from science, as well as from oversimplifying claims, and the lack of a clear definition. Here, we review scientific and popular Permaculture literature. A systematic review discusses quantitative bibliometric data, including keyword analysis. A qualitative review identifies and assesses major themes, proposals, and claims. The manuscript follows a stratified definition of Permaculture as design system, best practice framework, worldview, and movement. The major points of our analysis are as follows: (1) Principles and topics largely complement and even extend principles and topics found in the agroecological literature. (2) Distinctive approaches to perennial polyculture, water management, and the importance of agroecosystem configuration exceed what is documented in the scientific literature and thus suggest promising avenues of inquiry. (3) Discussions of practice consistently underplay the complexity, challenges, and risks that producers face in developing diversified and integrated production systems. (4) The movement is mobilizing diverse forms of social support for sustainability, in geographically diverse locations. (5) And scholarship in Permaculture has always been a diverse marginal sector, but is growing.

  • Permaculture for Agroecology: Design, Practice, Movement, and Worldview. A Review
    2013
    Co-Authors: Rafter Sass Ferguson, Sarah Taylor Lovell
    Abstract:

    Agroecology is a promising alternative to industrial agriculture, with the potential to avoid the negative social and ecological consequences of input-intensive production. Transitioning to agroecological production is, however, a complex project that requires diverse contributions from outside of scientific institutions. Agroecologists therefore collaborate with tradtional producers and agroecological movements. Permaculture is one such agroecological movement, with a broad international distribution and a unique approach to system design. Despite a high public profile, Permaculture has remained relatively isolated from scientific research. Though the potential contribution of Permaculture to agroecological transition is great, it is limited by this isolation from science, as well as from oversimplifying claims, and the lack of a clear definition. Here we review scientific and popular Permaculture literature. A systematic review discusses quantitative bibliometric data, including keyword analysis. A qualitative review identifies and asseses major themes, proposals and claims. The manuscript follows a stratified definition of Permaculture as design system, best practice framework, worldview, and movement. The major points of our analysis are: 1) principles and topics largely complement and even extend principles and topics found in the agroecological literature. 2) Distinctive approaches to perennial polyculture, water management, and the importance of agroecosystem configuration, exceed what is documented in the scientific literature, and thus suggest promising avenues of inquiry. 3) Discussions of practice consistently underplay the complexity, challenges, and risks that producers face in developing diversified and integrated production systems. 4) The movement is mobilizing diverse forms of social support for sustainabililty, in geographically diverse locations. 5) Scholarship in Permaculture has always been a diverse marginal sector, but is growing.

Julius Krebs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Permaculture—Scientific Evidence of Principles for the Agroecological Design of Farming Systems
    Sustainability, 2018
    Co-Authors: Julius Krebs, Sonja Bach
    Abstract:

    Modern industrial agriculture is largely responsible for environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and alteration of biogeochemical cycles or greenhouse gas emission. Agroecology, as a scientific discipline as well as an agricultural practice and movement, emerged as a response to these problems, with the goal to create a more sustainable agriculture. Another response was the emergence of Permaculture, a design system based on design principles, as well as a framework for the methods of ecosystem mimicry and complex system optimization. Its emphasis, being on a conscious design of agroecosystems, is the major difference to other alternative agricultural approaches. Agroecology has been a scientific discipline for a few decades already, but only recently have design principles for the reorganization of faming systems been formulated, whereas Permaculture practitioners have long been using design principles without them ever being scrutinized. Here, we review the scientific literature to evaluate the scientific basis for the design principles proposed by Permaculture co-originator, David Holmgren. Scientific evidence for all twelve principles will be presented. Even though Permaculture principles describing the structure of favorable agroecosystems were quite similar to the agroecological approach, Permaculture in addition provides principles to guide the design, implementation, and maintenance of resilient agroecological systems.

  • Permaculture-scientific evidence of principles for the agroecological design of farming systems
    Sustainability (Switzerland), 2018
    Co-Authors: Julius Krebs, Sonja Bach
    Abstract:

    Modern industrial agriculture is largely responsible for environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and alteration of biogeochemical cycles or greenhouse gas emission. Agroecology, as a scientific discipline as well as an agricultural practice and movement, emerged as a response to these problems, with the goal to create a more sustainable agriculture. Another response was the emergence of Permaculture, a design system based on design principles, as well as a framework for the methods of ecosystem mimicry and complex system optimization. Its emphasis, being on a conscious design of agroecosystems, is the major difference to other alternative agricultural approaches. Agroecology has been a scientific discipline for a few decades already, but only recently have design principles for the reorganization of faming systems been formulated, whereas Permaculture practitioners have long been using design principles without them ever being scrutinized. Here, we review the scientific literature to evaluate the scientific basis for the design principles proposed by Permaculture co-originator, David Holmgren. Scientific evidence for all twelve principles will be presented. Even though Permaculture principles describing the structure of favorable agroecosystems were quite similar to the agroecological approach, Permaculture in addition provides principles to guide the design, implementation, and maintenance of resilient agroecological systems.

Rafter Sass Ferguson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Diversification and labor productivity on US Permaculture farms
    Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 2017
    Co-Authors: Rafter Sass Ferguson, Sarah Taylor Lovell
    Abstract:

    The relationship between diversification and labor productivity is a pressing issue for diversified farming systems (DFS), which must compete with the high labor productivity of specialized and mechanized industrial farming systems. Synergies between multiple production systems represent an alternative pathway for enhancing labor productivity, contrasting with the economies of scale achieved by industrial farming. Facing a lack of technical and institutional support for managing diversified systems, DFS turn to grassroots agroecological networks for support. Permaculture is a grassroots network with an emphasis on diversified production that—despite its international scope and high public profile—has received little scholarly attention. In this exploratory study we assessed the relationship between diversification, labor productivity and involvement with Permaculture, using data from 196 enterprises (i.e., distinct sources of income or aspects of a farm business) on 36 Permaculture farms in the USA. We characterized diversification in two ways: by income at the level of the whole farm, and by labor for production enterprises only. By fitting a multilevel model of labor productivity (enterprises nested within farms) we assessed the evidence for synergies in production, i.e., positive relationships between diversification and returns to labor. Results indicated that both production diversity and level of involvement in the Permaculture network had significant positive effects on labor productivity. This effect disappeared, however, when both diversity and participation were at their highest levels. Results also indicate that high levels of diversification shift tree crops from the lowest labor productivity of any type of production enterprise to the highest. Through this first ever (to our knowledge) systematic investigation of Permaculture farms, our results provide support for the presence of production synergies in DFS, and for the role of Permaculture in helping farmers achieve these synergies.

  • Permaculture for agroecology: design, movement, practice, and worldview. A review
    Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2014
    Co-Authors: Rafter Sass Ferguson, Sarah Taylor Lovell
    Abstract:

    Agroecology is a promising alternative to industrial agriculture, with the potential to avoid the negative social and ecological consequences of input-intensive production. Transitioning to agroecological production is, however, a complex project that requires diverse contributions from the outside of scientific institutions. Agroecologists therefore collaborate with traditional producers and agroecological movements. Permaculture is one such agroecological movement, with a broad international distribution and a unique approach to system design. Despite a high public profile, Permaculture has remained relatively isolated from scientific research. Though the potential contribution of Permaculture to agroecological transition is great, it is limited by this isolation from science, as well as from oversimplifying claims, and the lack of a clear definition. Here, we review scientific and popular Permaculture literature. A systematic review discusses quantitative bibliometric data, including keyword analysis. A qualitative review identifies and assesses major themes, proposals, and claims. The manuscript follows a stratified definition of Permaculture as design system, best practice framework, worldview, and movement. The major points of our analysis are as follows: (1) Principles and topics largely complement and even extend principles and topics found in the agroecological literature. (2) Distinctive approaches to perennial polyculture, water management, and the importance of agroecosystem configuration exceed what is documented in the scientific literature and thus suggest promising avenues of inquiry. (3) Discussions of practice consistently underplay the complexity, challenges, and risks that producers face in developing diversified and integrated production systems. (4) The movement is mobilizing diverse forms of social support for sustainability, in geographically diverse locations. (5) And scholarship in Permaculture has always been a diverse marginal sector, but is growing.

  • Permaculture for Agroecology: Design, Practice, Movement, and Worldview. A Review
    2013
    Co-Authors: Rafter Sass Ferguson, Sarah Taylor Lovell
    Abstract:

    Agroecology is a promising alternative to industrial agriculture, with the potential to avoid the negative social and ecological consequences of input-intensive production. Transitioning to agroecological production is, however, a complex project that requires diverse contributions from outside of scientific institutions. Agroecologists therefore collaborate with tradtional producers and agroecological movements. Permaculture is one such agroecological movement, with a broad international distribution and a unique approach to system design. Despite a high public profile, Permaculture has remained relatively isolated from scientific research. Though the potential contribution of Permaculture to agroecological transition is great, it is limited by this isolation from science, as well as from oversimplifying claims, and the lack of a clear definition. Here we review scientific and popular Permaculture literature. A systematic review discusses quantitative bibliometric data, including keyword analysis. A qualitative review identifies and asseses major themes, proposals and claims. The manuscript follows a stratified definition of Permaculture as design system, best practice framework, worldview, and movement. The major points of our analysis are: 1) principles and topics largely complement and even extend principles and topics found in the agroecological literature. 2) Distinctive approaches to perennial polyculture, water management, and the importance of agroecosystem configuration, exceed what is documented in the scientific literature, and thus suggest promising avenues of inquiry. 3) Discussions of practice consistently underplay the complexity, challenges, and risks that producers face in developing diversified and integrated production systems. 4) The movement is mobilizing diverse forms of social support for sustainabililty, in geographically diverse locations. 5) Scholarship in Permaculture has always been a diverse marginal sector, but is growing.

Jeanthomas Cornelis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • effects of Permaculture practices on soil physicochemical properties and organic matter distribution in aggregates a case study of the bec hellouin farm france
    Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2018
    Co-Authors: Felix De Tombeur, Valentin Sohy, Claire Chenu, Gilles Colinet, Jeanthomas Cornelis
    Abstract:

    The limitations of conventional agriculture have accelerated the need for a transition to an environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural model. In this regard, the role played by soil organic matter (SOM) is key. Here, we aimed to study the impact of Permaculture and biointensive micro-gardening practices, characterized by intensive cultivation, the use of large and localized organic inputs and the non-use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, on soil physico-chemical properties and SOM distribution in aggregate-size fractions. The physico-chemical properties of soils in Permaculture farming implemented for seven years were compared with a soil under pasture. A soil experiencing conventional agriculture practices in similar geopedoclimatic conditions was simultaneously studied. Soils were separated into four aggregate-size fractions, into which organic carbon (OC) concentrations have been measured. The major soil physico-chemical properties were measured on the bulk soils. The concentrations of total OC and nitrogen (N) in bulk soils were higher under Permaculture practices, due to significant inputs of manure and compost, resulting in higher concentrations of the bioavailable nutrients Ca, Mg, K and P. The Permaculture practices sustained a level of macroaggregation similar to that of the pasture, and well above that of conventional practices. OC concentrations increased in the 250-2000 µm, 50-250 µm and occluded 50-250 µm fractions, but not in the <50 µm fraction compared to pasture. This can be explained by the too short duration of Permaculture practices for allowing the decomposition of coarse particulate organic matter (POM) into fine sized SOM that is more associated with mineral particles in free clay and silt size fraction. The higher OC stocks in Permaculture are therefore mainly governed by the coarse POM fraction. Our results show that Permaculture/biointensive micro-gardening practices enhance SOM storage and modify the distribution of SOM in aggregate size fractions, while substantially improving nutrient bioavailability and suggests that Permaculture practices strongly affect soil properties. The effects of Permaculture practices on soil properties would certainly vary depending on geopedoclimatic context, justifying the need to implement the approach for other soil types. Finally, we recommend to compare biogeochemical budget and nutrients use efficiency of Permaculture gardening with conventional horticulture gardening.

  • Effects of Permaculture Practices on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Organic Matter Distribution in Aggregates: A Case Study of the Bec-Hellouin Farm (France)
    Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2018
    Co-Authors: Felix De Tombeur, Valentin Sohy, Claire Chenu, Gilles Colinet, Jeanthomas Cornelis
    Abstract:

    The limitations of conventional agriculture have accelerated the need for a transition to an environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural model. In this regard, the role played by soil organic matter (SOM) is key. Here, we aimed to study the impact of Permaculture and biointensive micro-gardening practices, characterized by intensive cultivation, the use of large and localized organic inputs and the non-use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, on soil physico-chemical properties and SOM distribution in aggregate-size fractions. The physico-chemical properties of soils in Permaculture farming implemented for seven years were compared with a soil under pasture. A soil experiencing conventional agriculture practices in similar geopedoclimatic conditions was simultaneously studied. Soils were separated into four aggregate-size fractions, into which organic carbon (OC) concentrations have been measured. The major soil physico-chemical properties were measured on the bulk soils. The concentrations of total OC and nitrogen (N) in bulk soils were higher under Permaculture practices, due to significant inputs of manure and compost, resulting in higher concentrations of the bioavailable nutrients Ca, Mg, K and P. The Permaculture practices sustained a level of macroaggregation similar to that of the pasture, and well above that of conventional practices. OC concentrations increased in the 250-2000 µm, 50-250 µm and occluded 50-250 µm fractions, but not in the

  • Effects of Permaculture Practices on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Organic Matter Distribution in Aggregates: A Case Study of the Bec-Hellouin Farm (France)
    Frontiers Media S.A., 2018
    Co-Authors: Felix De Tombeur, Valentin Sohy, Claire Chenu, Gilles Colinet, Jeanthomas Cornelis
    Abstract:

    The limitations of conventional agriculture have accelerated the need for a transition to an environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural model. In this regard, the role played by soil organic matter (SOM) is key. Here, we aimed to study the impact of Permaculture and biointensive micro-gardening practices, characterized by intensive cultivation, the use of large and localized organic inputs and the non-use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, on soil physicochemical properties and SOM distribution in aggregate-size fractions. The physicochemical properties of soils in Permaculture farming implemented for 7 years were compared with a soil under pasture. A soil experiencing conventional agriculture practices in similar geopedoclimatic conditions was simultaneously studied. Soils were separated into four aggregate-size fractions, into which organic carbon (OC) concentrations have been measured. The major soil physicochemical properties were measured on the bulk soils. The concentrations of total OC and nitrogen (N) in bulk soils were higher under Permaculture practices, due to significant inputs of manure and compost, resulting in higher concentrations of the bioavailable nutrients Ca, Mg, K, and P. The Permaculture practices sustained a level of macroaggregation similar to that of the pasture, and well above that of conventional practices. OC concentrations increased in the 250–2,000, 50–250 μm and occluded 50–250 μm fractions, but not in the <50 μm fraction compared to pasture. This can be explained by the too short duration of Permaculture practices for allowing the decomposition of coarse particulate organic matter (POM) into fine sized SOM that is more associated with mineral particles. The higher OC stocks in Permaculture are therefore mainly governed by the coarse POM fraction. Our results show that Permaculture/biointensive micro-gardening practices enhance SOM storage and modify the distribution of SOM in aggregate-size fractions, while substantially improving nutrient bioavailability and suggest that these practices strongly affect soil properties. The effects of Permaculture practices on soil properties would certainly vary depending on geopedoclimatic context, justifying the need to implement the approach for other soil types. Finally, we recommend to compare biogeochemical budget and nutrients use efficiency of Permaculture gardening with conventional horticulture gardening

  • Effects of Permaculture practices on soil physico-chemical properties and organic matter distribution in aggregates: A case study of the Bec-Hellouin farm (France)
    Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2018
    Co-Authors: Felix De Tombeur, Valentin Sohy, Claire Chenu, Gilles Colinet, Jeanthomas Cornelis
    Abstract:

    The limitations of conventional agriculture have accelerated the need for a transition to an environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural model. In this regard, the role played by soil organic matter (SOM) is key. Here, we aimed to study the impact of Permaculture and biointensive micro-gardening practices, characterized by intensive cultivation, the use of large and localized organic inputs and the non-use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, on soil physico-chemical properties and SOM distribution in aggregate-size fractions. The physico-chemical properties of soils in Permaculture farming implemented for seven years were compared with a soil under pasture. A soil experiencing conventional agriculture practices in similar geopedoclimatic conditions was simultaneously studied. Soils were separated into four aggregate-size fractions, into which organic carbon (OC) concentrations have been measured. The major soil physico-chemical properties were measured on the bulk soils. The concentrations of total OC and nitrogen (N) in bulk soils were higher under Permaculture practices, due to significant inputs of manure and compost, resulting in higher concentrations of the bioavailable nutrients Ca, Mg, K and P. The Permaculture practices sustained a level of macroaggregation similar to that of the pasture, and well above that of conventional practices. OC concentrations increased in the 250-2000 µm, 50-250 µm and occluded 50-250 µm fractions, but not in the