Ecological Footprints in Agroecosystem: An Overview

Abstract

Agroecology has many pyramids on the earth, and has interaction between the living components. It encompasses the key issues such as food system on the planet and ecological concepts for greener future. Ecological footprint is a holistic approach which assesses the issue of sustainability both at macro-scale and micro-scale. In the present era, it has been observed that reduction in agricultural inputs helps to reduce the ecological footprints and support to the sustainable food system. However, this is absent due to intensive agricultural practices and huge use of agrochemical to feed the booming population of human being. The values of ecological footprints vary site wise. According to global footprint network food production contributes ~30% of the ecological footprint of the human civilization. On the basis of hectares per individual the value is 3 ha per individual globally for the food system. It is very interesting to note that the value of the developed nation stands to be higher in comparison to the poor economy or developing economy based on the status of countries. For example, the ecological footprints value of North America, Oceania and Europe ranges between 5 and 7 global hectares per individual and, on the other hand, the value of Africa, Asia, Latin American countries ranges between 0 and 3 global hectares per individual. In the Indian context, it is again much lesser of about 0.77 ha on individual basis. It has been observed that with intensive agriculture practices for more production agroecosystem stability reduces. Technological intervention is required for greener production, move towards low carbon economy, improving the biocapacity of the land which would help to reduce ecological footprint of the ecosystem. Hence, proper accounting of the natural resource is required for overall sustainability of the agroecosystem. Therefore, this book will support the government planners, policymakers, researchers, academicians and students to develop a vision to sustainable food, environmental and an economic system to fulfil the “Sustainable Development Goals”. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.