Sustainable Intensification By Managing Microbial Communities and Processes in Agroecosystems.

By focusing on soil biology and biochemistry, agroecosystem management strategies are implemented which include reduced soil disturbance, diverse and adaptable crop rotations, retention of residue, and incorporation of livestock, cover crops, or both This systems approach is required to sustainably intensify agriculture for effective use of soil, water, nutrient, fossil fuel, and human resources. If provided with an abundant, consistent, and diverse food source and a protected habitat, the soil food web will flourish. Biological soil processes create soil structure, cycle nutrients, and enhance belowground predator-prey relationships. Components of existing and evolving systems which elevate biological processes need to be identified to design biologically-active and regenerative systems that are dynamic enough to provide the skeleton key for economic and environmental sustainability.