Comparative analysis of intensive, conventional and organic farming systems to ecosystem services using the analytic network process

The sustainability of agro-ecosystems depends on their ability to deliver an entire package of multiple ecosystem services (ES), rather than provisioning services alone. They must also provide a web of supporting and regulating services, such as soil fertility, pest control and pollination. In this sense, various farming systems have been developed to achieve a balance between the provisions of multiple ES. The present study aims to assess the alternative agro-ecosystems (e.g. industrial, organic and conventional) in terms of the provisions of ecosystem services in agriculture using the analytical network process (ANP). This study applies a social ecological framework developed by Lescourret et al. (2015) for the service-based management of agroecosystems, specified through an explicit and symmetric representation of the ecosystem and the social system, and the dynamic links between them. It also displays how management practices, with their multiple effects, could drive the provision of multiple services. Based on this framework, ecosystem service relationships are classified based on the two types of mechanisms causing them: (1) effects of drivers (i.e. organic, industrial and conventional farming systems) on multiple ecosystem services and (2) interactions among ecosystem services. Alternative agroecosystems can drive change in one or more ecosystem services. In this study, an analytical network process (ANP) was used to compare different farming systems in terms of ecosystem services. The process consists of four steps:(1) network design, including the importance of the e summarizing the overall importance of the elements in the agriculture system; and (4) validation of the results through an expert-panel evaluation. Results regarding ecosystem services revealed that indicators of water and soil conservation, alongside food production are the millstone in a sustainable and balanced agroecosystem. In this sense, the results showed the priority of industry farming systems and in comparison with other systems in agreement with Andersen et al. (2013) and Letourneau and Bothwell (2008). Results reveal that among the four categories of ecosystem services, the production services group had the highest rate, and then, supportive, regulatory and cultural services.Water and production indictors also rated the highest regarding ecosystem service as well as organic and industry farming systems. This implies the importance of the integration of farming systems. Based on the results and consistent with Pretty et al. (2011), sustainable intensification is recommended to balance providing an entire package of multiple ecosystem services. Kiani et al. (2015) have analyzed the conditions of Iranian provinces in terms of production sustainability, and have concluded that in spite of the growing intensity in Iranian agricultural systems over the past five decades, the index related to the stability and sustainability of production has decreased. This is why, enhancing the input efficiency and extension sustainable intensification will be the only solution to feeding the growing population of Iran in the future, while still addressing environmental issues such as water conservation.