Ecological intensification: Managing biocomplexity and biodiversity in agriculture through pollinators, pollination and deploying biocontrol agents against crop and pollinator diseases, pests and parasites

Abstract

Ecological intensification refers to the practical management for amelioration of biodiversity and ecosystem management in productivity and sustainability for the benefit of human livelihoods. Pest management is critical for agricultural and forestry production systems and for human health. Chemical pesticides have become increasingly sophisticated and questioned as standard control measures. Biological control technology is a viable option. Biological control agents are living organisms (or parts thereof) that interfere with the productivity of other organisms. They range from vertebrates, insects, mites, plants, fungi, bacteria, to viruses as well as natural chemicals. Biological control works on weeds, plant pathogens, and invertebrate and vertebrate pests of crops, livestock, and human beings. Biological control agents mostly derive from natural ecosystems. They are part of biotechnology practiced within simplified anthropogenic ecosystems. Biological control technology falls under the umbrella of ‘ecological intensification’. The use of biological control agents in conjunction with managed pollinators is successfully proven for plant protection with fungal, bacterial, and viral biocontrol agents against fungal, bacterial, and insect pests deployed through specialized dispensers on the domiciles of managed pollinators. The concept is being tested for protection of managed pollinators themselves. This chapter reviews the extensive literature on both those subjects and addresses public concern for healthy food without synthetic chemical residues, for conservation of natural ecosystem services, and modern rapid expansion of organic farming.