Conclusion
The main objective of this course is to study if the integration[1] of crops and animals lead to benefits for the farmers and for the society.
The representation by 3 spheres as shown before allows to adopt a dual approach:
by the material flows inside the farm and between the farm and the environment (called metabolic approach);
by the ecosystemic services supplied through the synergies between crops and animals (ecosystemic approach)
The figure below represents the biophysical components, the key material flows and the key ecosystemic services in an ICLS. Interactions between the 3 spheres determine the delivery of ecosystemic services and the flows of matter.
By considering both approaches, we can understand how to optimize these flows and services in order to reduce inputs flows, natural resources consumption, emissions to the environment (atmosphere, soil and water) and to increase useful farm outputs.
