SAFE—A hierarchical framework for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems

Sustainable development and the definition of indicators to assess progress towards sustainability have become a high priority in scientific research and on policy agendas. In this paper, we propose a consistent and comprehensive framework of principles, criteria and indicators (PC&I) for sustainability assessment of agricultural systems, referred to as the Sustainability Assessment of Farming and the Environment (SAFE) framework. In addition we formulate consistent and objective approaches for indicator identification and selection. The framework is designed for three spatial levels: the parcel level, the farm level and a higher spatial level that can be the landscape, the region or the state. The SAFE framework is hierarchical as it is composed of principles, criteria, indicators and reference values in a structured way. Principles are related to the multiple functions of the agro-ecosystem, which go clearly beyond the production function alone. The multifunctional character of the agro-ecosystem encompasses the three pillars of sustainability: the environmental, economic and social pillars. Indicators and reference values are the end-products of the framework. They are the operational tools that are used for evaluating the sustainability of the agro-ecosystems. The proposed analytical framework is not intended to find a common solution for sustainability in agriculture as a whole, but to serve as an assessment tool for the identification, the development and the evaluation of agricultural production systems, techniques and policies.     

农村能源建设与持续农业

农村能源建设滞后制约着经济的发展，尤其是高效而稳定的持续农业的发展。本文从以沼气为纽带的生态农业出发，论述了农村能源建设是实现持续农业的重要前提，对农村整体具有经济，社会，生态效益。     

A primary study of nitrous oxide emission in agriculture region of Northern China

Significance of nitrous oxide in atmospheric chemistry is reviewed briefly. Background concentration of N2O at Wudaoliang in Qinghai Province of Western China has been measured by collecting gas samples and analysing them with electron capture-gas chromatography. The atmospheric concentration fluctuates in the range of 303-315 ppb with the mean value of 308 ppb. The emission rate of N2O in agriculture region of Northern China has been studied primarily. Fertilization, rain and temperature of soil appear conductible to N2O emission. The interactions between greenhouse effect and N2O emission have been discussed. The catalytic action of N2O in stratospheric ozone depletion processes and the effect of high N2O concentration on ozone depletion in stratosphere have been considered and discussed.     

中国有机食品的开发

有机农业运动已在我国兴起,我国在有机食品的开发上有着潜在的巨大市场及有利条件,应遵循“先易后难、逐步发展、建立基地、开发市场”的原则,严格按有关标准进行。     

建设太湖生态农业 治理农业面源污染

治理农业面源污染是太湖水污染防治，生态农业建设的重要方面，通过分析苏州市农业生产中以氮素为主的化学肥料，农药的施用和污染状况，分析造成农业面源污染的主要原因，提出相应对策和建设生态农业，保护农业环境的建议。     

大丰市生态农业建设的基本经验

总结江苏省大丰市开展生态农业建设的基本经验：培植生态系统的新增长点、农业资源的合理配置和永续利用、人口数量和质量的优化，科技进步和积极引进实用技术。     

Biotechnology: the ultimate cleaner production technology for agriculture?

There has been much discussion regarding the potential environmental benefits and hazards associated with agricultural biotechnology. Some argue that it can eliminate the need for a wide range of material inputs such as pesticides and herbicides. Others argue that it will increase the demand for non-sustainable and potentially hazardous ‘agri-business' practices. We test these claims against the cleaner production approach. Although we found that pressures to accept this technology are strong enough to overcome initial resistance, we also found that biotechnology, as it applies to agriculture, is not consistent with a cleaner production approach due to the high level of risk. We suggest that this type of technology adds an additional dimension to the cleaner production argument.     

试论开发性农业

积极发展开发性农业,可以引导农民开辟新的生产领域和致富来源,有利于安排剩余劳动力,调整产业结构,增加产品,发展商品经济。开发性农业是以资源、市场为导向,具有较强的专业化、基地化、系列化、商品化生产特点。目前尚未利用或利用不够充分的农业资源还较多,只要政策对头、措施得力,充分开发利用后,将是我国农业发展的一条重要出路。     

Impacts of climate factors on yields for selected crops in the Southern Turkey

This study aims to identify therelationship between the climatic variablesand yields of three crops (wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zeamays L.) and cotton (Gossypiumhirsitum L.) in the Cukurova region ofTurkey. In the study, time series data wereused to analyse crop yields across variousclimate factors for the period 1975 to1999. The climatic variables were arrangedaccording to phonological periods of theexamined crops such as planting, floweringand harvesting time. A linear perturbationmodel (LPM) was used for the identificationof the role of climate variables. 27climatic factors were considered asexplanatory variables in the model. Astepwise selection method in the selectionand introduction of independent variableswas used for regression equation for wheat,maize and cotton. The results of the linearperturbation model (LPM) showed that theR² values for wheat, maize and cottonwere found 46.1%, 57.2% and 74.5%,respectively. The highest variationcoefficient (CV) was found in maizeproduction (43.4%) followed by cotton(23.14%) and wheat (15.29%). The mostsignificant climatic factor affectingdeviations in crop yields is related intemperature at planting, flowering andharvesting time. It is suggested thatfarmers would be better off with theapplying adaptation measurements. Therefore, policy makers should focusefforts on reducing production risksproviding climatic information anddeveloping risk management institutions.     

团结乡发展都市农业生态旅游浅析

团结乡调整产业结构发展农业生态旅游已见成效，但仍存在集约化成度低、产品结构单一、产业链短等限制因素。应从促进生态系统良性循环入手，切实保护不可再生资源，合理规划，加大投入，建设多元化复合生态系统。