Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Agroecology for sustainable intensification

Hunter, M.C. et al.

2017

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Summary

This paper, published in Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, reviews the potential of agroecology as a framework for achieving sustainable intensification — producing more food whilst reducing negative environmental externalities. Drawing on existing literature, it likely evaluates how agroecological principles such as biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and reduced external inputs can be reconciled with productivity goals. The review appears to make the case that agroecology and sustainable intensification need not be opposing paradigms, provided the latter is defined broadly to encompass social and ecological dimensions.

UK applicability

Whilst the review is international in scope, its findings are broadly applicable to UK farming policy, particularly in the context of post-Brexit agricultural transition and the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, which incentivises agroecological and nature-friendly farming practices.

Key measures

Crop yields; ecosystem services indicators; resource-use efficiency; environmental impact metrics

Outcomes reported

The paper likely examines whether agroecological practices can deliver sustainable intensification by maintaining or improving yields whilst reducing environmental impacts. It probably reports on productivity, ecosystem service provision, and resource-use efficiency across diverse farming contexts.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Sustainable farming systems & agroecology
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Mixed farming systems
Catalogue ID
XL0541

Topic tags

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