Systems approaches are excellent in integrating insights in the
physical, chemical,
Systemsapproachesareexcellentinintegratinginsightsinthephysical,
chemical, physiological and ecological processes that dictate the
behaviour of living systems, of
physiologicalandecologicalprocessesthatdictatethebehaviouroflivingsystems,
of which which agro-ecosystems agro-ecosystems are are important
importantones. ones. Furthermore, Furthermore, they theyhelp help to
tobridge bridge the the gap gap between betweendetailed detailed process
processoriented oriented studies studies and and higher
higherintegration integration levels. levels. Systems Systems approaches
approaches are are roughly roughlycategorized categorized in inthree
three groups groups of of studies: studies: (i) (i) predictive
predictive studies studies to to support support decision decision
making making and and guide guide interventions, interventions, (ii)
(ii) systems systemsanalysis analysis and and simulation simulation in
inorder order to toget get insight insight and and understanding
understandingof of the the functioning functioningof of (living)
(living) systems, systems, and and (iii) (iii) explorative explorative
studies studies to to investigate investigate possible possible options
options for for development development and and trade trade offs offs of
of aims, aims, objectives objectives and andconstraints. constraints.
All All these these systems systems approaches approaches are are now
nowwidely widely used used in inecological ecological systems systems
including including agriculture, agriculture, and and applied appliedin
in land landuse use planning. planning. This This book book is is an an
introduction introduction to toone one of ofthe the major majorfields:
fields: systems systems analysis analysis and and simula- simula- tion.
tion.
