Includes bibliographical indexes.

Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
PART ONE
The Theoretical Basis of Agricultural Ecology
1 The Evolution of Agroecological Thought,
Susanna B. Hecht

1
2 The Methodology and Practice of Agroecology,
Richard B. Norgaard and Thomas 0. Sikor
21
3 The Agroecosystem: Determinants, Resources,
Processes, and Sustainability
41
PART TWO
The Design of Alternative Agricultural
Systems and Technologies
4 Generating Sustainable Technologies Appropriate
to Alternative Farming 71
5 Designing Sustainable Agroecosystems 89
6 Traditional Agriculture 107
7 Ecologically Based Agricultural Development Programs 145
8 Organic Farming 179
viii
PART THREE
Alternative Production Systems
9 Polyculture Cropping Systems,
Matt Liebman 205
10 Cover Cropping and Mulching 219
11 Crop Rotation and Minimum Tillage 233
12 Agroforestry Systems,
John G. Farrell and Miguel A. Altieri 247
PART FOUR
Ecological Management of Insect Pests,
Pathogens, and Weeds
13 Integrated Pest Management 267
14 Weed Ecology and Management 283
15 Plant Disease Ecology and Management 307
16 Pasture Management to Sustain Agriculture,
Bill Murphy 321
17 Soil Quality and Management,
Fred Magdoff 349
PART FIVE
Looking Ahead
18 Toward Sustainable Agriculture 367
Bibliography 381
About the Contributors 413
About the Book 417
Index 419