An Ecosystem Service Approach to Assessing Agro-Ecosystems in Urban Landscapes

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 among others could offer potential ways to address the social, economic, and ecological goals various stakeholders simultaneously. Current research is lacking a comprehensive tool that can assess performance alternative have both functional aesthetic values. The present uses novel rubric, Permaculture Agro-ecosystems Sustainability Scorecard (PASS) combines agricultural sustainability ecosystem services (ES) indicators order agro-ecosystems. rubric evaluates provisioning, regulating, supporting, economic cultural ES includes benefits such pollinator presence, increased biodiversity, pesticides fertilizer use, carbon sequestration, security, human interactions. Based on concepts principles drawn from four popular frameworks sub-disciplines, namely, SAFE, SITES, permaculture, agroecology, we identify sixteen broad 59 sub-indices measure them using data collected through site observation, survey, interviews, documentary research. For easy comparison across different agriculture sites, above are further aggregated into five criteria stakeholder-informed weights. weights developed pair-wise by sample survey respondents. PASS framework used score twelve sites South Florida meet specific small farm, residential, public space categories. Sample respondents place highest weight services. Contrary notion promoting for results show majority supporting provided, followed regulating services, lowest category. service most consistently very high, close possible level 5.0. There wide variation provisioning values study sites. paper offers several ideas mainstreaming planning decision-making some practical difficulties one might face along way. We conclude realize broader particular general, multi-pronged policy approach necessary.