Potential for a new generation of biodiversity in agroecosystems of the future

Industrial agriculture, which is grounded in the industrial principles-specialization, simplification and concentration -that inform all industrial economics, has been exceptionally successful for the past half century. But, as we enter the 21st century this modern agriculture will be facing a number of serious challenges that may force the abandonment of these principles in favor of a more diversified, complex system of food and fiber production.