How ecological research on human-dominated ecosystems incorporates agricultural and forestry practices: A literature analysis

Understanding the nexus between practices and ecosystems is a critical challenge for sustainability, but it is unclear how ecological sciences have explored the question. To bring clarification, we conducted an analysis of ecology literature dealing with agricultural and forestry practices (AF practices), scanning a total of 27 556 references. Scientometric analyses showed that AF practices were addressed by 5.5% of ecology literature, and that this proportion increased from 2.5 to 8.1% between 1956 and 2017. Content analyses showed that research has mainly focused on monospecific systems in the Global North, predominantly using plot-level experimental approaches. Temporal monitoring, real-world practices and their social context were poorly investigated. This analysis stresses the need to reinforce research in complex agroecosystems, in particular in non-Western countries. Multilevel and spatio-temporal approaches, as well as participatory research, should also be encouraged to build a social-ecological understanding and formulate more grounded, relevant policy recommendations for sustainability.

Automated summary

The analysis demonstrates an increasing trend in the proportion of ecology literature addressing agricultural and forestry practices, with a focus on monospecific systems and experimental approaches. However, there is a lack of research on temporal monitoring, real-world practices, and social context. More research is needed in complex agroecosystems, particularly in non-Western countries, and a shift towards multilevel and spatio-temporal approaches, as well as participatory research, is recommended for a better understanding and formulation of sustainable policy recommendations.