agroecological
Farming with nature
Agroecological describes farming practices that apply ecological principles to agriculture—working with natural systems rather than against them.
The approach emphasizes biodiversity, soil health, and minimal external inputs: agroecological methods reduced the need for synthetic fertilizers.
The term appears in discussions of sustainable food systems and alternatives to industrial agriculture.
Sustainable ecosystem design method
- polycultureMulti-species crop system
- agroforestryTrees integrated with farming
- organicFrom living matter
- biodynamicAgriculture following cosmic cycles
no-till · intercropping · mulching · biofertilizers · composting · smallholder · subsistence · market-garden
State of mutual linkage
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- circularityState of being round
- integrationCombining into a whole
interdependence · resilience · complexity · synergy · balance · multifunctionality
Locally adapted traditional crops
- pollinatorsOrganisms transferring reproductive dust
- open-pollinatedNaturally cross-fertilized plants
Decayed organic soil matter
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- biocharCharred biomass soil amendment
- vermicompostWorm-digested organic material
Able to renew itself
- low-impactMinimally stressful on body
- resource-efficientUsing supplies wisely
- climate-resilientWithstands environmental extremes
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
renewable · localized · long-term · self-sustaining · chemical-free · non-toxic · drought-resistant · energy-efficient
Science of human-plant relationships
- community-basedCentered on local groups
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
- place-basedAnchored to particular location
permaculture
Sustainable ecosystem design method
- polycultureMulti-species crop system
- agroforestryTrees integrated with farming
- organicFrom living matter
biodynamic · no-till · intercropping · mulching · biofertilizers · composting · smallholder · subsistence · market-garden
interconnectedness
State of mutual linkage
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- circularityState of being round
integration · interdependence · resilience · complexity · synergy · balance · multifunctionality
landraces
Locally adapted traditional crops
- pollinatorsOrganisms transferring reproductive dust
- open-pollinatedNaturally cross-fertilized plants
humus
Decayed organic soil matter
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- biocharCharred biomass soil amendment
regenerative
Able to renew itself
- low-impactMinimally stressful on body
- resource-efficientUsing supplies wisely
- climate-resilientWithstands environmental extremes
carbon-neutral · renewable · localized · long-term · self-sustaining · chemical-free · non-toxic · drought-resistant · energy-efficient
ethnobotany
Science of human-plant relationships
- community-basedCentered on local groups
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
- place-basedAnchored to particular location
agriculture, ecology, agricultural, agrarian, ecological, ecologist, agronomist, agronomic, agrarianism