Systemic Soil Fertility as product of system self-organization resulting from management

Abstract

of indicators to assess the actual level of Soil Fertility and the respective response of the plants. Concurrently, the view of the soil as an open system was strengthened, and the conception of fertility began to constitute a property that emerges from the functioning of the soil, whose processes are self-organizing, due to the continuous flows of energy and matter driven by organic compounds. In this context, we present a part of the history of Brazilian agriculture, relating it to its management and Intrinsic limitations of indicators to assess Soil Fertility due to changes in soil functioning. The Intrinsic limitations added to understanding based on a systemic approach of the functional processes of the soil are the practical and theoretical bases for the proposition of another concept: Systemic Soil Fertility.

Restoring social and ecological relationships in the agroecosystems of Canada's prairie region

“…An ecosystem can be defined as the "dynamic assemblage of soil, air, water, and all biota (including humans) in their interwoven interactions in a designated place" (Janzen et al, 2021: 2). Key aspects of this definition are the multiple, ever-changing interactions among components that engender ecosystem integrity (Anghinoni and Vezzani, 2021;Cabell and Oelofse, 2012;Tittonell, 2014), the unique local manifestation of these interactions, and the inclusion of humans. Many so-called natural ecosystems around the world, including those in the grassland and parkland regions of western Canada, were historically managed by humans, though with a considerably lighter touch than today.…”

“…In general, targets for ecosystem restoration can range from reducing human impacts and improving ecosystem management to complete recovery of native ecosystems (Gann et al, 2019), though the latter target is not always attainable or desirable. While the nature of individual components and the ecosystem services produced are certainly an integral part of this approach, equally important are the relational processes that characterize the "functioning" of an ecosystem-the emergent properties that arise in a selforganizing system, contributing to synergies among components and resilience to stresses and shocks (Anghinoni and Vezzani, 2021). The ecological processes that promote ecosystem functioning include nutrient and energy cycling, hydrological flows, competitive and cooperative relationships within the biotic community, and successional dynamics and disturbances, among others.…”

“…The purpose of such a model is not merely to describe the ecosystem as it is, but to attempt to predict, at least in general terms, what will happen under various scenarios and, accordingly, to guide land use decisions. In more complex systems, such interactions are difficult to predict, but may move toward synergistic relationships with fewer risks and greater benefits (Anghinoni and Vezzani, 2021).…”

“…Accordingly, we must be mindful of the potential cascade of effects prompted by a single change and may need to design protective mechanisms into farming systems. Some authors propose that complex production systems, such as the no-till, integrated crop-livestock systems of southern Brazil, naturally selforganize to develop synergetic relationships, allowing soils to maintain synchronous nutrient flows and protect against losses (Anghinoni and Vezzani, 2021). The same may occur where planned biodiversity supports associated biodiversity and promotes the resulting benefits (Altieri, 1999).…”

On the complexity of agroforestry systems

“…For instance, even for relatively simple silvopastures access to knowledge was shown to be a significant constraint (Vinholis et al, 2020). These challenges make it more difficult for the large majority of conventional farmers to adopt more complex systems, increase ecosystem service provision and ultimately, become more resilient to environmental change (Anghinoni and Vezzani, 2021).…”