Lillywhite, Robert, Collier, Rosemary and Pole, J. (2009) Assessing the costs and benefits of agricultural production using an ecosystem approach. Aspects of Applied Biology, Vol.95 . pp. 39-44. ISSN 0265-1491.

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Abstract

Integrated Farm Management (IFM) is seen as one way for agriculture to contribute towards the UKs challenging national targets for climate change, pollution, biodiversity and other environmental factors. Whilst it is clear that IFM and associated assurance schemes have a role in food quality and enhancement of the environment, they fail to address a number of issues. In particular, they fail to take sufficient account of ‘impact’ and ‘outcome’. In contrast, the relatively new concept of an ecosystem approach does consider these and there is extensive synergy between this approach and IFM. This is pertinent because the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is taking steps to embed an ecosystem approach in policy-making and delivery. This paper sets out to explore the links between IFM and an ecosystem approach and introduces a simple matrix to show how an ecosystem approach might be used to assess the outcome of IFM practices. Limited use of an ecosystem approach suggests that this type of methodology could deliver useful results for IFM. However, it should be used as a decision-support tool rather than a decision-maker. The advantage of using an ecosystem approach for assessing the impact of IFM is that it provides a holistic assessment of land management strategies, rather than focusing on either cropping, or environmental management, alone. However, the values assigned to individual parameters are generally based on expert opinion and, as such, are open to interpretation. Indeed, an ecosystem approach should be interdisciplinary, utilising the knowledge and expertise of a range of stakeholders. Whilst the development of an ecosystem approach for use within an agricultural setting shows promise, it is still in its infancy. There is a need for much discussion, between many disciplines, before it becomes accepted practice.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) > Warwick HRI (2004-2010)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Integrated agricultural systems -- Great Britain, Agricultural productivity -- Great Britain, Ecosystem services -- Great Britain, Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	Aspects of Applied Biology
Publisher:	Association of Applied Biologists
ISSN:	0265-1491
Official Date:	2009
Dates:	Date Event 2009 Published
Volume:	Vol.95
Page Range:	pp. 39-44
Status:	Not Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Funder:	Great Britain. Dept. for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Grant number:	AC0308 (DEFRA), IF0127 (DEFRA)

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