Facing the gap: exploring research on local knowledge of insect-provided services in agroecosystems. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rawluk, Andrea; Saunders, Manu E.
• Is Part Of: International journal of agricultural sustainability. Volume 17:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Agroecology -- ecosystem services -- local knowledge -- pollination -- social research -- sustainable agroecosystems; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Agricultural ecology -- Periodicals; 338.14
• DOI: 10.1080/14735903.2019.1567244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5903

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Sustainable agroecosystems must be managed to support biodiversity conservation and food production, which occur at the interface of regional/national policy frameworks, and local knowledge and perspectives. This paper examines the current breadth of research examining farmer knowledge of beneficial insect activities that provide ecosystem services (or benefits) in agroecosystems. We identify patterns and gaps in the literature and opportunities for future research. We found 34 studies that explicitly focused on and documented local knowledge of how insect taxa provided ecosystem services in agroecosystems, the majority of which were immediately observable in farmers' daily practice: pest control ( n = 26), pollination ( n = 4). We suggest that there is a need for greater investigation of local knowledge of the breadth of ecosystem services provided by insects and identify key research areas that are opportunities for investigation.