Formed between biotic and abiotic factors in a defined area, an agroecosystem influences the distribution and population of living organisms. They tend to minimise human impact.

Differences from normal ecosystems:

maintenance at an early successional rate
monoculture
crops planted in rows
simplification of biodiversity
intensive tillage
use of GM organisms and artificially selected crops

Refers to the study of an ecological phenomenon in the crop field e.g. the relationship between predator and prey. It needs energy input to maintain a balance e.g. use of pesticides disturbs balance by killing organisms.

Maintenance keeps pest populations at manageable levels:

Ecosystems are ever changing systems
Ecosystems follow food webs
All elements of an agroecosystem are closely linked, disturbance to one has effect on others

	Created by megan lirtchfirld about 4 years ago

Slide Set on Applied Ecology, created by megan lirtchfirld on 21/04/2020.