Please see my [[comments]] within your text below. It seems that I corresponded at length with someone working there a few years ago, but I can't remember her name. I will not be submitting a proposal.
WT PS: The term "landscape" is derived from the Old Dutch word "skep," meaning "to cut," to "hack," etc. Its meaning has been altered by semantic erosion over the years, but it may be useful to consider its origins and the level of consciousness with respect to its consequences, particularly in this context. Certainly a food-production system that requires less labor, materials, and equipment, such as a biologically diverse ecosystem, whether by accident or design, might be considered more, not less efficient and bottom-line productive, than an exploitative, expedient, wasteful "system" that comes from an unwarranted assumption that "increases" are unlimited, whether through "Green Revolutions" or "Genetic Engineering." Such systems are, however, profitable in terms of money extraction, particularly for export-based economies, aka "cultural parasitism." At 08:26 AM 6/16/2006, Fabrice De Clerck wrote: >Hello All - > >After reading the NCEAS call for proposals regarding funding for >Distributed Graduate Seminars (DGS) I would be interested in seeing >if anyone out there would be like to develop a DGS on "Conservation >of Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes". Here at CATIE in Costa >Rica we have accomplished quite a bit of work and have some >significant databases/experience on species conservation in pasture, >coffee, and cacao landscapes. > >In particular, there are three principle questions I'd like to >explore, though these would be open to consideration/discussion once >partners are finalized: > >1) Can agricultural landscapes be managed for the conservation of >biodiversity [[Anything done to any "landscape," particularly agricultural (Fr. agri, "field" and cultus "cut") ones, should increase biological diversity.]] >2) What is the relationship between biodiversity and the functioning >(crop productivity, disease and pest resistance) [[Monoculture favors predators of the crop concerned; biodiversity (depending upon the species involved) can increase pest predator populations and activity, improve crop plant nutrition (as in influencing microbial populations that influence nutrient pathways), and otherwise affect productivity (e.g. shade, water infiltration/percolation, improved respiration, erosion reduction). Crop genetic diversity can affect disease resistance and altered environments can have direct and indirect effects on pest activity. Biodiversity also can (depending upon species, populations, assemblages, structure, etc.) adversely affect crop production; however, some such can be involved in tradeoff phenomena that affect production and crop quality.]] >3) To link data in Costa Rica, and potential partners in the US, what >is the role of semi-natural habitat in agricultural landscapes play >in the conservation of migratory species, particularly those species >that migrate between/through Costa Rica and North American landscapes. [[An excellent, if seldom-considered factor.]] >Both ecological questions and social questions, such as what drives >farmers to conserve on-farm biodiversity could be open for >consideration. [[Well-entrenched cultural customs, such as those which may have had a role in the demise of certain Pre-Columbian cultures, are not necessarily optimal, but merely expedient. Continued, persistent demonstration of the results of biodiversity (including mixed-crop, non-tillage systems may be essential, as well as careful integration such that the changes, their evaluation and further development, are rendered a product of a given culture rather than that of outsiders with outsize egos.]] >If your are interested, please drop me an email. We are particularly >interested in institutions that serve high proportions of of groups >underrepresented in science. For more information on the NCEAS call >for proposals, please visit: http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/opportunity/ >rfp.html > >Cheers, >Fabrice
