AGROECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY UNDER THE CURRENT CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Abstract

Agricultural systems are at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges from the climate emergency, biodiversity loss, and increasing global food demand. Agroecology integrates ecological principles into agricultural practices, emphasising biodiversity to enhance ecosystem services and promote sustainable farming. This paper reviews the current state of agroecology, focusing on the impacts of climate change – such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and soil salinisation – on agricultural biodiversity and economic outcomes. Additionally, it examines plant-microbe interactions within agroecosystems and their role in mitigating climate-induced stresses. The discussion highlights strategies to nurture ecosystems through diversified cropping systems and soil health management to build resilient agricultural landscapes. The review concludes by advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to harness biodiversity as a cornerstone for thriving agricultural ecosystems.