U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Crop Production Systems Research: Stoneville, MS
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    About CPSRU
                        CPSRU Mission StatementSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Southeast Area Stoneville, Mississippi Crop Production Systems Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications
- Unit Publication Lists with PDFs

Title:   Author  item
                                            Sassenrath, Gretchenitem
                                            WIENER, JOHN - University Of Coloradoitem
                                            Hendrickson, Johnitem
                                            Schneider, Jeanneitem
                                            Archer, David
  Submitted to: Book Chapter
                                    Publication Type: Book / Chapter
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2010
                                    Publication  Date: 12/1/2010
                                    Citation: Sassenrath, G.F., Wiener, J.D., Hendrickson, J.R., Schneider, J.M., Archer, D.W. 2010. Achieving effective landscape conservation: evolving demands, adaptive metrics, 107-120. In: M. Schnepf, ed. "Managing Agricultural Landscapes for Environmental Quality: Achieving More Effective Conservation." Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, IA, pp. 168.Interpretive Summary: Conservation efforts have advanced the science of quantifying changes in environmental parameters. These scientific advances have been the basis for policy and programs regulating agricultural land management. However, rapid changes in on- and off-farm land use limit the impacts of these programs, and present particular challenges to future conservation efforts. The landscape, once predominantly agricultural, has become more fragmented through urban development and conversion of large farms into small parcels of land for non-farm uses. Intensification of agriculture has also created homogenous, spatially distributed farming systems, with increased dependence on external inputs. Demographic shifts have reduced the farming population to two percent of the US, with only 20% of the population classified as rural. These changes have significantly impacted societal expectations of land use and agricultural production, but also influenced the native knowledge of ecosystems and landscapes, and support for conservation policy. A new approach to conservation is emerging in the alternative food production systems. These bottom-up agricultural systems are developing as collaboration between consumers and producers, and are making inroads into establishing sustainable production systems and improved conservation effectiveness in landscapes. Integration of societal concerns will be an important component in future development, implementation and measurement of conservation efforts.
                                Technical Abstract: Rapid changes in demographics and on- and off-farm land use limit the impacts of U.S. conservation programs and present particular challenges to future conservation efforts.  The fragmentation of landscape through urban, suburban, and peri-urban development, coincident with demographic shifts, has significantly affected societal expectations of land use and agricultural production, influencing popular understanding of ecosystems and landscapes and support for conservation policy.  A new approach to landscape conservation is needed that encompasses emerging land usage and political realities.  Alternative food production systems and bottom-up collaborations between consumers and producers are proposed as a model for the development of locally and socially relevant conservation programs.  The emerging paradigm is "collaborative, community-based participatory planning".  In particular, conservation goals and integrated metrics of success need to be defined, developed, implemented, and continuously adapted in ongoing local and regional cross-program, landscape-based public efforts.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov