Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Major/Program
Environmental Studies
First Advisor's Name
Mahadev Bhat
First Advisor's Committee Title
Major Professor
Second Advisor's Name
Hong Liu
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Third Advisor's Name
Roberto Rovira
Third Advisor's Committee Title
committee member
Keywords
ecosystem services, agroecology, permaculture, landscape
Date of Defense
11-9-2016
Abstract
Creating sustainable urban landscapes in light of growing population pressures requires interdisciplinary multi-functional solutions. Alternative agro-ecosystems described as food forests, permaculture gardens, and/or edible landscapes among others could offer potential ways to address the social, economic and ecological goals of various stakeholders simultaneously. The present research used a unique rubric, the Permaculture and Agro-ecosystems Sustainability Scorecard (PASS) that combines existing agricultural and landscape sustainability indicators in order to assess alternative agro-ecosystems. The rubric evaluates provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem services such as pollinator presence, biodiversity, pesticides and fertilizer use, carbon sequestration and human interactions. The PASS was used to score twelve sites in South Florida that meet specific criteria in the small farm, residential and public space categories. The results showed that the majority of the sites scored highest in the supporting services provided, followed by regulating and cultural services and lowest in the economic services category.
Identifier
FIDC001192
Recommended Citation
Thiesen, Thais H. Ms., "A Framework for assessing Alternative Agro-Ecosystems: finding Multi-Functional Solutions for Sustainable urban landscapes." (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3042.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3042
Included in
Agricultural Economics Commons, Agricultural Education Commons, Agricultural Science Commons, Landscape Architecture Commons
Rights Statement
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).