The DOI matches its Crossref record; 8 of the 8 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
C ommentary: The productivity of variability: an agroecological hypothesis
Abstract
Most agronomic research seeks to limit the variability of productivity, offering universal ‘recipe knowledge’ that attempts to overwhelm contextual differences. Based on participatory research with a group of eight graziers in Wisconsin, we present the counter hypothesis that the productivity of variability is a key principle of agroecology. Contextual variability across space and time presents farmers with productive opportunities. Appreciating these contextual possibilities offers a universal principle that is not also a recipe.
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The challenge for farmers transitioning towards innovative practices lies in numerous uncertainties related to the complex nature of agroecosystems, in which ecological processes and ES form an intricate network that is often unpredictable, not fully understood, and specific to each production site.
“While transitioning towards these innovative practices, the challenge for farmers lies in the numerous uncertainties related to the complex nature of agroecosystems, in which ecological processes and ES form an intricate network that is often unpredictable, not fully understood [16], and specific to each production site [17,18].”
From How Are Landscapes under Agroecological Transition Perceived and Appreciated? A Belgian Case Study (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
Preferences for landscape attributes are highly context-specific.
“Local-based approaches are relevant when addressing landscape perceptions, since preferences for landscape attributes are highly context-specific [17,18,55].”
From How Are Landscapes under Agroecological Transition Perceived and Appreciated? A Belgian Case Study (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
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“Local-based approaches are relevant when addressing landscape perceptions, since preferences for landscape attributes are highly context-specific [17,18,55].”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Bell, M. M., Lyon, A., Gratton, C., & Jackson, R. D.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-01
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 233-235
- ISSN
- 1473-5903 (ISSN-L)
- 1747-762X
- OpenAlex
- W2013130385
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 8.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Development › Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis
- Keywords
- agroecology, contextual variation, participatory research, graziers, grassland management, spatiotemporal variation, farmer knowledge
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