This extension bulletin is the result of a combined effort by Michigan agricultural scientists, Extension workers, and farmers to promote greater understanding of Michigan field crop ecology. It is geared toward environmental conditions and agricultural issues in Michigan, but has relevance to other states, including California. The book draws heavily on three projects being conducted at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Kalamazoo County: 1) the Long-Term Ecological Research project (LTER), 2) the Living Field Laboratory (LFL), and 3) the Cover Crop Program. Research at LTER focuses on the ecological interactions of field crop ecosystems, and the patterns, causes and consequences of diversity in agricultural landscapes. LFL integrates basic ecological knowledge gained from the LTER into cropping systems appropriate to Michigan farming situations. The farmer-driven Cover Crop Program evaluates various aspects of cover crop selection and management.

According to the authors of this book, an ecological focus on cropping systems encompasses three major objectives: 1) enhancing soil quality, 2) managing pests and diseases with minimal environmental impact, and 3) recycling nutrients and residues effectively and efficiently. Management practices that help achieve all three of these goals, such as the use of crop rotation and cover crops, are highlighted in this book.

The concepts and principles of ecosystems are introduced in the opening chapter. The text defines an ecosystem as a geographic location on the earth’s surface where energy and nutrients are captured and transformed by plants, animals and microbes. With that perspective, an ecosystem can be any size. Greater distinctions between types of ecosystems can be found when one looks closely at the impact of human activity. Farms are human-managed ecosystems designed to convert energy into harvestable products. They have different characteristics than natural ecosystems, but the same principles of energy flow, nutrient cycling, and biology apply to both.

The importance of ecological principles and relationships to the farmer is brought out clearly in subsequent chapters. Key topics covered include:

• Soil Ecology
     Biotic soil components and interactions
• Carbon
     Carbon as farmer’s primary resource
     Carbon cycle
     Managing carbon to maximize soil organic matter
• Nitrogen
• Major sources of nitrogen
     Nitrogen cycle
     Managing nitrogen to improve production and reduce environmental impact
• Cover crops
     Cover crops and crop rotation
     Cover crops, nitrogen and soil quality
• Pest Ecology and Management
     Population and community ecology
    Approaches to pest management
• Insect Community
     Insect communities and ecosystem complexity
     Landscape diversity
• Nematodes
     Nematodes in ecosystems
     Management of plant parasitic nematodes

The final chapter of the book, “Directions For Farm Change: Bringing it All Together,” discusses how a holistic approach can be used to integrate ecosystem management objectives with other family and business goals. The authors recommend careful planning before making significant changes in production systems. Initial steps should include a thorough assessment of current resources and environmental conditions. An ecological perspective can be gained by getting a landscape view of the farm either through aerial photography or Geographical Information Systems (GIS) comparisons. Any specific changes in farm or ranch management should be made in light of the three objectives mentioned at the beginning of the book: enhancing soil quality, managing pests and diseases with minimal environmental impact, and recycling nutrients and residues effectively and efficiently.

Michigan Field Crop Ecology is 86 pages, and includes many instructive graphics, photos, and tables. It can be purchased for $12 through the MSU Extension Bulletin office or by contacting the KBS Extension office at (800) 521-2619.

For more information: Laura Probyn, Information Officer, Kellogg Biological Station, probynl@msue.msu.edu.

DEC. 601 Contributed by David Chaney