Environmental Evaluation and Monitoring of Agro-Ecosystems Biodiversity

Abstract

With the present study, following on from a description of the main vegetation typologies of an agroecosystem context, we will illustrate a method for the evaluation of the functionality of the rural contexts that we have applied in past years to various territories examined. The system that we have adopted is based on vegetation analysis and on the application of indexes specifically designed for this. This system allows precise measures to be carried out, which can be integrated with other fauna bioindicators. It has been applied at different scales, which go from hydrographic basins of individual farms to small herbaceous areas. The analytical instrument that we present is particularly useful for the monitoring of the conservation state of agroecosystems, and in general it provides a tool for the better management of rural territories.