Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1.1 NUE can be analysed and discussed on different levels of organization. On each level
input and intended outcome differ in quality and a different terminology is used. Agroecologists
regard the agricultural system with all associated ecosystems and society as the entity with a
particular NUE, whereas agronomists put the field into focus. Plant physiologists deal with the
plant as a complex input-output system with an inherent NUE. To avoid confusion in comparative
research it helps to clarify on which level NUE is assessed
(Daily
1997
) include delivery of agricultural goods as well as indirect beneficial
properties such as the protective role of an intact forest against flooding or its
capacity to purify water and bind carbon dioxide (Costanza et al.
1997
; Daily
et al.
2000
; Tilman et al.
2002
). Although it is difficult to assess the actual monetary
value of all the components of an ecosystem, this concept is the only one that
adequately expresses the efficiency of an agricultural system for a society in the
long term by including all detrimental effects to the environment and to public
health in the
input of costs
side of the calculation.
