Agrarian systems and farm : partim

Teacher(s)

Bertin Pierre;

Language

French

Prerequisites

Biology, ecology, soil science , climatology of the first three years of the program Bioengineering or equivalent.

Main themes

Part A The impact of agro-ecosystem on the environment, the impact of climate change on agro-ecosystem . The sustainability of agro-ecosystems : its definition , its objectives, assessment and the means of its implementation on environmental and socio-economic plans.
Part B evolutionary dynamics of agricultural systems . Origin of agriculture and cultivated or farmed species . Conditions for the functioning of agricultural systems : tools , labor , replacement fertility , plant-animal interactions. Methodology for studying the dynamics of farming systems, their balance or malfunction : economic, social and political causes of the ecological genesis , evolution and collapse systems in history. New balances.

Content

Part A Principles of agrosystems functioning and comparison of agro-ecological and natural ecological systems. The evolution and amplification of the impacts of agricultural activities since the advent of humanity. Industrialization and anthropogenic Climate Change : Contribution of agriculture and reciprocal effects. Definition of the holistic and complex sustainability of agrosystems. The interconnection of environmental, economic, social and ethical dimensions. Improving sustainability : assessment tools'Tools for tactical and strategic operations and social, economic, cultural and ethical tools.

Part B Domestication of plants and animals. Transition from predation to agriculture. Nomadic agriculture and settlement agriculture. Hydraulic systems. Mountain agriculture. Fallow systems. No-fallow systems. Mechanization, genetic improvement. Transport and globalization.

Teaching methods

Lectures based on practical examples, case studies, guided questions
Field trips (visiting agricultural companies, farmers and agronomic trials)
Modeling exercises. Depending on the season, taking measurements on farm.
Scientific publications from generic or specialized international journals, UN/NGO/offical reports, book chapters, documentaries and video presentations of renown scientists

Evaluation methods

Written exam dealing with interdisciplinary issues, where the student will have to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking based on acquired knowledge during the instruction

Other information

In cases where the students do not master the French language, the instruction for these students will be replaced by a literature review on a topic related to the issues developed above, to be defined with the instructor.
This course can be given in English

Online resources

Moodle

Bibliography

Support(s) de cours obligatoires
Syllabus et montages powerpoint disponibles sur Moodle
Séminaires et conférences
Supports complémentaires
Mazoyer et Roudard, 2002. Histoire des agricultures du monde
FAO, 2001. Systèmes d'exploitation agricole et pauvreté

Faculty or entity

AGRO