Integration of Crop and Livestock Production in Temperate Regions to Improve Agroecosystem Functioning, Ecosystem Services, and Human Nutrition and Health

Abstract Sophisticated integrated crop-livestock production systems offer many advantages for reducing the environmental impact of producing a high quantity of healthful, nutritious food, and the diversity of crops and livestock produced is important in several respects, but not the only aspects to consider. The variety of ecosystems services provided by these systems is important too, as is the biodiversity they support. To adjust to the high environmental performance expected, these systems need to be truly integrated to maximize recycling of nutrients. There are some sophisticated integrations of crop and livestock production systems in temperate regions of the world that are currently unique. The unique systems likely have improved agroecosystem functioning, provide more ecosystem services, and in many cases, more profitability for farmers, especially if they market their products directly to consumers who are willing to pay to support farming practices that externalize fewer of their costs to the environment.