Spatial statistics for production ecology

At the moment we realize that the world will face major changes in land use in the coming decades. Agricultural production will need to meet the needs of the world population which is expected to double to 12 billion, and to meet the increasing demand as a result of continued economic growth and consumer demands. Agriculture needs to meet this rising demand on less land, with less resources such as water, while satisfying ever-tighter constraints with respect towards the quality of its products and the impact of production techniques on humans and environment. This will increase demands on the natural resources of soil, water and air which are being depleted and degraded in many parts of the world, threatening the continuity of agro-ecosystems. These issues require a thorough scientific analysis of ecosystems and the development of relevant options for agricultural production and conservation activities. Production ecology addresses sustainable agricultural production systems that are in harmony with the natural environment at different scales. Production ecology aims at understanding agroand natural ecosystems, while addressing socio-economic and ecological objectives in the society at various