Sustainability in agriculture -: an evaluation of principal goal-oriented concepts to close the gap between theory and practice

The objective of concepts to assess and implement sustainability in agriculture is to consolidate the complex and diverse principles of the theoretical paradigm and to transform them into recommendations for agricultural practice. Since only goal-oriented concepts show a high adaptation to different conditions and target groups, their fundamental strategy was highlighted and their suitability for successful operationalisation was worked out. Seven goal-oriented concepts, representing the main current methods of sustainability assessment, were evaluated regarding potential and drawbacks for a successful transfer of the theoretical paradigm into practice. A principal strategy of goal-oriented concepts has been identified in all concepts: goal definition, indicator selection, evaluation based on indicator sets and final formulation of management advice. In most of the seven reviewed concepts, the protection of the agricultural production system itself is postulated as a major aim. Consequently, indicator sets mainly consist of production-oriented indicators and eco-balancing predominantly represents the methodological framework. Six of the seven selected concepts base sustainability assessment on an evaluation strategy with estimated threshold values or margins of tolerance. Three main drawbacks of goal-oriented concepts have been identified that restrict to transfer the theoretical sustainability paradigm into agricultural practice: (1) the lack of systemic and transferable indicators which characterise agricultural and other eco-systems regarding all dimensions of sustainability; (2) the deficit of an adequate evaluation of agro-ecosystems; and (3) the lack of principal guidelines for the formulation of management advice for practical application. Goal-oriented concepts based on models fur agronomy and management show a high potential to overcome these drawbacks and therefore represent a promising tool to bridge the gap between theory and practice of sustainability in agriculture. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.