Evaluation of environmental impact indicators using fuzzy logic to assess the mixed croppingsystems of the Inland Pampa, Argentina.

DIEGO OMAR FERRARO; SZNAIDER, G.A.; GHERSA, C. M.

Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

Año: 2003 vol. 96 p. 1 - 18

0167-8809

Sustainable agriculture requires an adequate analysis framework. Fuzzy logic-based and field scale indicators were developedto evaluate the effects of pesticides and tillage on agroecosystems. All the assumptions and rules for making inferencesreflect the current knowledge and the expert perception and judgment about the potential environmental impact of pesticidesand tillage. The proposed indicators require four input variables: (1) number and type of applied pesticides, (2) rate of appliedpesticides, (3) number and type of tillage tools, and (4) land capability class of each field. In regards to pesticide impact,the indicators consider the toxicity effects on: (1) mammals and (2) insects, while the tillage impact is evaluated taking intoaccount the effects of different tillage operations on: (1) the retention of crop stubble on the soil surface, and (2) the stabilityof soil aggregates. Two overall outputs were obtained: (1) pesticide index and (2) tillage index. The developed indicators wereused to compare the potential environmental effect of current practices carried out in Inland Pampa (Argentina). Concerningpesticide use, cropping winter wheat did less harm to the agroecosystem than cropping maize and sunflower. The overallvalues of tillage index were similar within crops. However, large differences in pesticide and tillage effects were found amongtillage systems. Soybean showed the highest variability in both indexes. The type of analysis carried out in this study usingfarm-level variables may help find more sustainable ways to manage agricultural inputs.