Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417685
Research Project: Knowledge Systems and Tools to Increase the Resilience and Sustainablity of Western Rangeland Agriculture

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Advancing effective agroecosystem sustainability performance indicators via the USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network (LTAR)

Author
item Donovan, Megan
item Spiegal, Sheri
item Kaplan, Nicole
item Archer, David
item Bean, Alycia
item Beebout, Sarah
item Bestelmeyer, Brandon
item Clark, Pat
item DELONG, ALIA - Archbold Biological Station
item Fortuna, Ann Marie
item Friedrichsen, Claire
item Hoover, David
item Huggins, David
item Kleinman, Peter
item McIntosh, Matthew - Matt
item Renschler, Chris - Christian
item RITTEN, JOHN - Colorado State University
item Smith, Douglas
item Webb, Nicholas - Nick
item WULFHORST, J - University Of Idaho

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2024
Publication Date: 12/10/2024
Citation: Donovan, M.E., Spiegal, S.A., Kaplan, N.E., Archer, D.W., Bean, A.R., Beebout, S.E., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Clark, P., Delong, A., Fortuna, A., Friedrichsen, C.N., Hoover, D.L., Huggins, D.R., Kleinman, P.J., Mcintosh, M.M., Renschler, C.S., Ritten, J., Smith, D.P., Webb, N.P., Wulfhorst, J.D. 2024. Advancing effective agroecosystem sustainability performance indicators via the USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network (LTAR). American Geophysical Union. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sustainability is a global priority as human populations place unprecedented strain on natural resources worldwide. The ability to measure agroecosystem performance with respect to a variety of sustainability goals and benchmarks at the farm enterprise scale is critical to ensure long-term success for producers, and ultimately, sustainable global food systems for all. However, the highly dynamic nature of climate, society and markets complicates the evaluation of agroecosystem performance. No singular coordinated and vetted framework yet exists. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network (LTAR), a transdisciplinary and cross-sector group of agricultural scientists, is positioned to address this gap. LTAR developed an indicators framework as the foundation for the Agricultural Performance Indicator and Context Knowledge System (AgPICKS). The indicator framework’s structure includes domains of sustainability at the broadest level: Economics, Environment, Production and Society. Attributes within each domain at the next, finer level describe the characteristics of a sustainable farm or ranch. Indicators measure the status of each attribute and site-specific metrics are used to calculate each indicator. The architecture and content of the framework was developed via a series of national meetings and individual consultations using an iterative consensus procedure. Looking ahead, LTAR is working to develop a customizable web tool for AgPICKS that allows users across the USDA and its producer networks to set benchmarks of desired conditions and collect site-specific data to guide their own enterprise success and ultimately, co-create sustainable global food systems.