A prominent study challenges the traditional focus of agroecology on terrestrial aspects, advocating for the integration of water and aquatic foods to drive sustainable food system transformation.
The research underscores the vital role of aquatic environments in enhancing food security, ecosystem resilience, and overall sustainability in the face of climate change and agricultural pressures.
Aquatic foods, such as fish and algae, offer nutritional benefits with lower environmental impacts compared to terrestrial protein sources, yet they have been overlooked in agroecological discussions until now.
The study proposes revising established agroecological principles to incorporate water, aquatic foods, and land-to-seascape interconnections, emphasizing the holistic approach needed for effective food system transformations.
Highlighting the interconnectedness of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the paper advocates for cross-sectoral actions that optimize the symbiotic relationships between land and water resources.
The inclusion of aquatic foods in agroecology not only diversifies production systems but also promotes sustainable practices, biodiversity conservation, and equitable access to nutrition.
The study stresses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive governance mechanisms to achieve integrated land-water management and advance resilient food systems.
Efforts to leverage aquatic ecosystems for climate resilience and alternative food sources during crop failures demonstrate the potential of aquatic solutions in mitigating environmental shocks.
Through aligning science, policy, and indigenous knowledge, the study envisions a future where agroecology embraces water and aquatic foods for sustainable, nutritious, and socially just food systems.
The research calls for enhanced monitoring of aquatic ecosystem functions, advocating for improved metrics and data integration to better assess the contributions of water resources to agroecology.