Core Processes in the Ecosystem
Core Processes in the Ecosystem
Four key ecosystem processes—energy flow, water cycle, nutrient cycle, and biodiversity—work together to create a resilient, productive, and regenerative agricultural system. By implementing these principles on your farm, you establish the foundation for long-term sustainability and ecological health.
Improve water infiltration and water storage by enhancing soil structure and organic content. A healthy water cycle means that water efficiently penetrates the soil, is stored, and circulates.Possible steps to achieve this include:
- Improve soil structure to allow deep water infiltration and minimize erosion and runoff.
- Increase the organic matter content in the soil, which acts like a sponge to retain water, ensuring plant availability even during dry periods.
- Avoid bare soil to reduce water loss through evaporation and retain moisture in the soil. By optimizing the water cycle, you ensure that plants and soil organisms have reliable access to water, even under changing weather conditions.
Maximize solar radiation through diverse and well-managed plant growth to boost photosynthesis. The foundation of all ecosystem processes is energy, primarily in the form of sunlight. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb sunlight and convert it into chemical energy, which powers the entire food web. Steps to maximize this energy flow:
- Promote diverse and continuous plant growth throughout the year.
- Keep green, photosynthesizing plants on your fields to capture as much sunlight as possible.
- Use a variety of plant species that collectively enhance energy flow in your soil and the entire ecosystem. This ensures that both soil life and aboveground biodiversity thrive, increasing the productivity and resilience of your farm.
Optimize the nutrient cycle through effective management of soil biology and organic inputs.
A functioning nutrient cycle ensures that nutrients are always available in the right form for plants and soil organisms. This can be achieved by:
- Supporting soil biology (microbes, fungi, and larger organisms) that decompose organic matter and make nutrients available to plants.
- Using organic inputs, such as compost and cover crops, to continuously enhance the soil's nutrient content.
- Minimizing the use of synthetic inputs that can disrupt natural cycles and soil biology. By optimizing the nutrient cycle, you reduce dependence on fertilizers and enhance soil fertility for sustainable productivity.
Increase biodiversity at all levels, from soil microbes to plants and animals, to support a resilient and self-sustaining ecosystem. Biodiversity is the driving force behind the resilience of any ecosystem. A diverse system adapts better to changes and disturbances.
Wichtige Maßnahmen sind:
- Growing a variety of plant species to support a wide range of soil organisms, insects, and wildlife.
- Integrating livestock or other animals to mimic natural cycles and enhance the nutrient cycle.
- Creating habitats for beneficial organisms, from pollinators to natural predators that help control pests. By increasing biodiversity, you strengthen all other processes and establish a self-regulating agricultural system that can adapt flexibly to challenges.