Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.9
3.3
Journals
Agriculture
Special Issues
Current Prospects of Social-Ecologically More Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Agriculture
share announcement

Current Prospects of Social-Ecologically More Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Agriculture

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 4504

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Moritz von Cossel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: agricultural production; agroecological intensification; biodiversity; bioeconomy; bioenergy; combustion; cropping systems; diversification; ecosystem services; perennial crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rocío A. Díaz-Chavez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, Weeks Building Room 507, 16-18 Princess Gardens, South Kensington, London SW7 1NE, UK
Interests: sustainable development; sustainability assessment; developing countries; bioenergy; bioeconomy; SLCA; landscape; gender; community
Dr. Bastian Winkler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: bioeconomy; integrated production systems; agroforestry; smallholder; renewable energy; urban agriculture; soilless cultivation; ecosystem services; true-cost accounting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on new scientific achievements or opinions in the field of social-ecologically more sustainable agriculture and urban agriculture. Studies submitted to this Special Issue should contribute to the long-term addressal of both economic and social-ecological challenges in agriculture and urban agriculture.

The need for win–win solutions to mitigate the trade-offs between economically rewarding and social-ecologically more beneficial approaches in agriculture has emerged. First and foremost, the globally increasing demand for food must be ensured, especially in regions affected by hunger and poverty. At the same time, environmental degradation should be reduced, and many other ecosystem services should be improved, such as by providing (semi-) natural habitats for wildlife and insects; regulating climate, air quality, and disturbances; and offering cultural services such as recreational value and aesthetic information. New forms of landscape governance have also evolved, showing different approaches to agriculture and natural resource management.

Therefore, this Special Issue primarily considers studies that explore synergies between social-ecologically oriented approaches to agroecological agriculture and the primarily economically oriented approaches to integrated conventional agriculture in both rural and urban environments. Overall, this Special Issue covers a wide range, from nature-based solutions to precision agriculture, spanning from the traditional understanding of social-ecologically more sustainable methods for the successful implementation of high-tech practices and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, this Special Issue addresses immanent social issues in agricultural production, such as gender equality and the right to decent work and fair pay, to help significantly improve the well-being of people in rural and urban communities in the future.

We are very much looking forward to your contributions.

Dr. Moritz Von Cossel
Dr. Rocío A. Díaz-Chavez
Dr. Bastian Winkler
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agroecology
  • bioeconomy
  • biomass
  • climate change
  • cropping systems
  • ecosystem services
  • gender equality
  • SLCA
  • sustainable development goals
  • sustainable intensification

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

24 pages, 1278 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Lifestyle on Individual’s Perception of Urban Agriculture
by Simona Gavrilaș, Oana Brînzan, Radu Lucian Blaga, Maria Sinaci, Eugenia Tigan and Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb
Agriculture 2025, 15(3), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15030314 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 295
Abstract
Urban-farming activities can provide durability to an area, ensuring, among other benefits, environmental awareness, access to fresh food, individual health, and, potentially, an increased family income. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the following benefits of urban agriculture [...] Read more.
Urban-farming activities can provide durability to an area, ensuring, among other benefits, environmental awareness, access to fresh food, individual health, and, potentially, an increased family income. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the following benefits of urban agriculture perceived by the inhabitants of western Romanian towns: socialisation and recreation and the avoidance of food waste with their levels of education and financial situations. The data were collected through an online questionnaire, completed by 648 respondents, and processed in SPSS-IBM using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey interval test. The study results demonstrated that a high level of education leads to increased belief in the contributions that urban farming makes to improving the socialisation and recreation of city residents. The income level also significantly shapes opinions regarding the contribution of urban agriculture to the increase in recycling. This study reflected critical lifestyle perspectives that impact people’s perception of the benefits of urban agriculture. The findings are expected to provide new insights for regulators and decision-makers, enabling them to develop tailored methods, strategies, policies, and legal measures to achieve sustainable growth in the urban community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Prospects of Social-Ecologically More Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Agriculture)
24 pages, 6160 KiB  
Article
Transboundary Impacts of NO2 on Soil Nitrogen Fixation and Their Effects on Crop Yields in China
by Jinhui Xie, Peiheng Yu and Xiangzheng Deng
Agriculture 2025, 15(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15020208 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 743
Abstract
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) impacts climate, air quality, soil nitrogen fixation, and crop production, yet its transboundary impacts remain unclear. This study combines 15 global datasets to assess nitrogen’s transboundary impacts on crop yields and soil health. We use machine learning to [...] Read more.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) impacts climate, air quality, soil nitrogen fixation, and crop production, yet its transboundary impacts remain unclear. This study combines 15 global datasets to assess nitrogen’s transboundary impacts on crop yields and soil health. We use machine learning to develop yield prediction models for major grain crops (maize, rice, soybean, and wheat) affected by NO2. Our findings indicate stable soil nitrogen fixation in China from 2015 to 2020, although overgrazing and deforestation may cause declines. Increasing soil total nitrogen content by 0.62–2.1 g/kg can reduce NO2 by 10–30%. Our research indicates that the current agricultural environments for major grain crops (58.5–94.2%) have already exceeded the NO2 concentration range that crops can tolerate, particularly in regions near northern urban clusters. This highlights the need for regional interventions, such as precision nitrogen fertilizer management, to enhance both soil nitrogen fixation and crop yields. Scenario analysis suggests that NO2 control can boost maize and rice yields in a greener context, while increasing total nitrogen content improves wheat and soybean yields. This provides a solution for advancing sustainable agriculture by linking nitrogen cycle management with improved crop yields and environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Prospects of Social-Ecologically More Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1584 KiB  
Article
From Tradition to Innovation: The Role of Culture Tourism in Transforming Chinese Agriculture
by Wenqing Luo and Jianxu Liu
Agriculture 2024, 14(11), 2042; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14112042 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 973
Abstract
After the merger of China’s Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Administration into the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2018, there was a strong push to advance the strategy of culture–tourism integration, which has shown significant effects on the economy and [...] Read more.
After the merger of China’s Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Administration into the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2018, there was a strong push to advance the strategy of culture–tourism integration, which has shown significant effects on the economy and society. Building on this success, the Chinese government proposed the strategy of agriculture–culture–tourism integration in 2023. However, its impact on the agricultural sector remains unclear. This study employs field theory to explain the impact of culture–tourism integration on the agricultural sector. Drawing from the relevant literature, we construct and statistically analyze the Culture–Tourism Coupling Coordination Degree (CTCCD). Utilizing provincial panel data from China from 2000 to 2022, we employ two-way fixed-effects panel regression to empirically estimate and analyze the effects of the CTCCD on the agricultural GDP, Total Factor Productivity (TFP), and various aspects of crop farming. Our findings reveal several key insights: (i) the CTCCD exhibits a significant negative impact on both agricultural GDP and TFP; (ii) the CTCCD negatively affects the proportion of crop farming within the agricultural sector, suggesting that culture–tourism integration results in weaker development of crop farming compared to forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries; (iii) the CTCCD demonstrates significant negative effects on the sown area, yield per unit area, and total production of food crops, while positively influencing the per capita income of agricultural workers. These empirical results highlight the complex relationship between culture–tourism integration and agricultural development. Our analysis provides quantitative evidence of the trade-offs involved in pursuing integrated development strategies, adding to the existing research on rural development. The findings indicate that promoting agriculture–culture–tourism integration should be balanced with efforts to accelerate agricultural technological progress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Prospects of Social-Ecologically More Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1063 KiB  
Article
Rice Bund Management by Filipino Farmers and Willingness to Adopt Ecological Engineering for Pest Suppression
by Finbarr G. Horgan, Angelee F. Ramal, James M. Villegas, Alexandra Jamoralin, John Michael V. Pasang, Buyung A. R. Hadi, Enrique A. Mundaca and Eduardo Crisol-Martínez
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1329; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081329 - 9 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1683
Abstract
Ecological engineering is defined as the design of ecosystems for the benefit of human society and the environment. In Asia, the ecological engineering of rice fields by establishing vegetation on bunds/levees for natural enemies has recently gained traction; however, its success depends on [...] Read more.
Ecological engineering is defined as the design of ecosystems for the benefit of human society and the environment. In Asia, the ecological engineering of rice fields by establishing vegetation on bunds/levees for natural enemies has recently gained traction; however, its success depends on farmers’ willingness to implement changes. We surveyed 291 rice farmers in four regions of the Philippines to assess their bund management practices and willingness to establish bund vegetation that restores rice regulatory ecosystem services for pest management. During pre- and post-open field day (OFD) interviews, we assessed farmers’ perceptions of ecological engineering practices and sought their advice concerning bund vegetation. Over 60% of the farmers grew crops or allowed weeds on their bunds. Vegetables were grown as a source of extra food or income, and flowers were grown for pest management. Among the remaining farmers, their willingness to try ecological engineering increased from 36 to 74% after the OFDs. Furthermore, after the OFDs, willing farmers increasingly (from 2.6 to 15%) cited pest management as a reason to grow vegetables on bunds, and farmers almost exclusively focused on growing vegetables rather than flowers to adapt the system. While 46.5% of farmers who grew vegetables on their bunds applied insecticides, only ca 20% indicated that they would do so after the OFDs, if needed. Farmers had differing opinions on how vegetables would be incorporated into their rice farms. This range of options could be encouraged wherever farmers recognize the potential harm from pesticides for biodiversity and the restoration value of a diversified farm habitat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Prospects of Social-Ecologically More Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop