On the multifunctional character of agroecology: the management of the agricultural matrix and the conservation of wild species as metapopulation systems

Abstract

The preservation of biodiversity and the fight against hunger are slogans that have been hoisted by social movements worldwide. However, at first both struggles seem incompatible. In this paper, using a theoretical-practical approach we show how Agroecology can reconcile these two important issues. Specifically, we show how the agroecological management of the agricultural matrix in fragmented landscapes may stimulate the establishment of metapopulation dynamics in different groups of insects, thus ensuring their survival. This is done by estimating migration rates of different groups of insects in the field, and using the Incidence Function Model (Hanski 1994) to assess the long-term metapopulation dynamics of these groups. Our results strongly show the positive effects of agroecology in the conservation of entomological biodiversity, as well as the damage that can be inflicted upon it when using conventional agriculture. This highlights the multifunctional character of agriculture with an agroecological base, and shows its importance in the achievement of crucial social, environmental and economic objectives.