Key research themes
1. How do agroforestry systems contribute to traditional agrobiodiversity conservation amid socio-environmental changes?
This research area investigates the role of agroforestry systems, including traditional practices such as hedgerows and mixed cropping, in conserving plant and animal biodiversity. It emphasizes the ecological benefits of integrating trees with crops and the socio-cultural factors influencing agroforestry maintenance, in contexts ranging from European agricultural landscapes to arid zones like Mexico. Understanding these systems is vital for developing policies that support biodiversity conservation while respecting farmers' livelihoods and traditional knowledge in the face of agricultural intensification, land fragmentation, and changing governmental policies.
2. How does Conservation Agriculture (CA) influence soil health and agrobiodiversity conservation at local and landscape scales?
This theme encompasses the ecological, agronomic, and socio-economic dimensions of Conservation Agriculture (CA) with principles of minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop diversification. It focuses on CA’s impacts on soil quality improvements, biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation. The research also examines adoption patterns, benefits, challenges, and the integration of CA across diverse agroecosystems globally, emphasizing both local management practices and their interaction with landscape complexity in biodiversity outcomes, supporting sustainable and resilient agricultural production.
3. How do socio-cultural values and traditional knowledge shape agrobiodiversity conservation and indigenous food sovereignty?
Research under this theme explores the integral role of cultural practices, traditional ecological knowledge, and indigenous festivals in the maintenance and conservation of agrobiodiversity. It focuses on how communities sustain crop diversity and genetic resources through cultural institutions and practices, including seed saving, crop diversification, and agricultural rituals. This theme highlights the interplay between cultural identity, food sovereignty movements, and policy frameworks, demonstrating the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage as a pathway to sustainable biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation strategies.