Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota

Intensification of agriculture in the tropics has resulted from a shortage of farmland and insufficient food production to satisfy the needs of an expanding population. Many tropical farmers are challenged by the prospect of intensifying their production while sustaining or improving the fertility a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Beare, M.H., Reddy, M.V., Tian, G., Srivastava, S.C.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 1997
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98673
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author Beare, M.H.
Reddy, M.V.
Tian, G.
Srivastava, S.C.
author_browse Beare, M.H.
Reddy, M.V.
Srivastava, S.C.
Tian, G.
author_facet Beare, M.H.
Reddy, M.V.
Tian, G.
Srivastava, S.C.
author_sort Beare, M.H.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Intensification of agriculture in the tropics has resulted from a shortage of farmland and insufficient food production to satisfy the needs of an expanding population. Many tropical farmers are challenged by the prospect of intensifying their production while sustaining or improving the fertility and productivity of soils with only locally available natural resources. The waste products of plant and animal production represent some of the most abundant natural resources available for use by tropical farmers to achieve these goals. The efficient use and management of these resources depends on understanding the role that decomposer biota play in regulating the structure and function of agricultural ecosystems. Furthermore, the development of agricultural management practices which promote the beneficial attributes of these organisms will be essential to sustaining the productivity and environmental integrity of tropical agriculture. Finally, understanding the role of biodiversity among decomposer biota in maintaining the functional properties of tropical agricultural ecosystems is critical to achieving this goal. The objective of this review is to further that understanding by describing the taxonomic and functional diversity of decomposer biota in the tropics and evaluating known links between their diversity and the function of agricultural ecosystems. We further describe the effects of changing land-use and agricultural intensification on the structure and diversity of decomposer communities in the tropics and suggest some priorities for future research.
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spelling CGSpace986732024-05-15T05:11:55Z Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota Beare, M.H. Reddy, M.V. Tian, G. Srivastava, S.C. decomposition biota biodiversity soil fertility ecosystems Intensification of agriculture in the tropics has resulted from a shortage of farmland and insufficient food production to satisfy the needs of an expanding population. Many tropical farmers are challenged by the prospect of intensifying their production while sustaining or improving the fertility and productivity of soils with only locally available natural resources. The waste products of plant and animal production represent some of the most abundant natural resources available for use by tropical farmers to achieve these goals. The efficient use and management of these resources depends on understanding the role that decomposer biota play in regulating the structure and function of agricultural ecosystems. Furthermore, the development of agricultural management practices which promote the beneficial attributes of these organisms will be essential to sustaining the productivity and environmental integrity of tropical agriculture. Finally, understanding the role of biodiversity among decomposer biota in maintaining the functional properties of tropical agricultural ecosystems is critical to achieving this goal. The objective of this review is to further that understanding by describing the taxonomic and functional diversity of decomposer biota in the tropics and evaluating known links between their diversity and the function of agricultural ecosystems. We further describe the effects of changing land-use and agricultural intensification on the structure and diversity of decomposer communities in the tropics and suggest some priorities for future research. 1997-08 2018-12-19T07:01:23Z 2018-12-19T07:01:23Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98673 en Limited Access Elsevier Beare, M.H., Reddy, M.V., Tian, G. & Srivastava, S.C. (1997). Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota. Applied Soil Ecology, 6(1), 87-108.
spellingShingle decomposition
biota
biodiversity
soil fertility
ecosystems
Beare, M.H.
Reddy, M.V.
Tian, G.
Srivastava, S.C.
Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota
title Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota
title_full Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota
title_fullStr Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota
title_full_unstemmed Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota
title_short Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of decomposer biota
title_sort agricultural intensification soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics the role of decomposer biota
topic decomposition
biota
biodiversity
soil fertility
ecosystems
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98673
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AT tiang agriculturalintensificationsoilbiodiversityandagroecosystemfunctioninthetropicstheroleofdecomposerbiota
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