Agroecology

Definition

The interdisciplinary study of ecological processes and interactions within agricultural production systems, applying ecological principles to the design and management of sustainable food systems. As a science, it examines how organisms—including insects, arachnids, and other arthropods—interact with crops, soils, and management practices; as a practice, it informs approaches ranging from integrated pest management to regenerative agriculture.

Etymology

From Greek agros (field) + oikos (household) + logos (study)

Example

An agroecologist might study how flowering field margins support parasitoid wasps that suppress aphid outbreaks in wheat, using this knowledge to design crop rotations that enhance natural enemy populations and reduce insecticide dependence.

Related Terms

• agroecosystem
• Integrated Pest Management
• Biological control
• Conservation biological control
• Polyculture
• ecosystem service
• sustainable agriculture

Usage Notes

The term encompasses three distinct usages: (1) the scientific discipline studying ecological dynamics in agricultural settings; (2) a social and political movement advocating for food sovereignty and ecological farming; and (3) specific farming practices informed by ecological principles. Specialists distinguish agroecology (broad, science-based) from agroecological practices (specific applications). Not synonymous with organic farming or permaculture, though these may employ agroecological principles. Contrast with agronomy, which emphasizes crop physiology and soil chemistry over species interactions.