Agrosystems - Gregory GAMBETTA

Agricultural ecology has a long history and is becoming increasingly important in promoting sustainable agricultural production. The field is extremely diverse and encompasses many different subjects including: sustainable pest control, worker protection (i.e. social justice), the maintenance of biodiversity, and the reduction of resource consumption and environmental impacts. Thus agricultural ecology represents an integrative science with a broad range of research areas that can extend from the specific physiology of individual organisms to the structure and dynamics of populations and communities. I will present a short history of the field and a discussion of some of its primary areas of focus in a contemporary context. Finally, I will focus on the idea of "sustainable viticulture" and will discuss current challenges in increasing vineyard sustainability from the perspective of a plant biologist.