Table 2.
Properties of natural ecosystems compared with recent agroecosystems typical of affluent economies and sustainable agroecosystems
| Property | Natural ecosystem | Recent agroecosystem typical of affluent economies | Sustainable agroecosystem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Medium | High | Medium (possibly high) |
| Species diversity | High | Low | Medium |
| Output stability | Medium | Low-medium | High |
| Biomass accumulation | High | Low | Medium-high |
| Nutrient recycling | Closed | Open | Semi-closed |
| Trophic relationships | Complex | Simple | Intermediate |
| Natural population regulation | High | Low | Medium-high |
| Resilience | High | Low | Medium |
| Dependence on external inputs | Low | High | Medium |
| Human displacement of ecological processes | Low | High | Low-medium |
| Sustainability | High | Low | High |
Source: Gliessman (2005).