This book offers a comprehensive introduction to  basic ecological and biological principles underlying modern agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, and explains how these principles are used to increase the production of food and other raw materials (wood, biofuels, fibers and other materials). The book is translated into English, originally published in Czech by Karolinum Press, Charles University, and provides new updated information to discuss how the intensification of the production of these goods changes the structure of ecosystems concerning energy and nutrient flows, and how these changes affect the functioning of ecosystems and the subsequent provisions of other non-productive ecosystem services. Additionally, the authors describe the methods by which contemporary science and society strives to increase the sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries to maintain not only the production of food and other goods, but also other ecosystem services. 

Although not a textbook on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the book familiarizes readers with the principles of their technologies, because the impact on ecosystems is largely based on the technological processes used. The book is primarily focused on temperate ecosystems, but it contains a number of examples about marine and tropical ecosystems impacted by globalization and our consumer behavior. The book will be of interest to students and researchers with backgrounds in ecology and environmental science, as well as non-experts interested in ecology and environmental protection
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Table of contents :
Chapter 1: General Background in Ecology and Environmental Sciences 1.1 Ecosystem Services and Human Impact on Them 1.2 Metabolism of Human Society 1.3 Primary Production and Factors Influencing It 1.3.1 Photosynthesis and Energetics of Plants 1.3.2 Factors Affecting Primary Production 1.3.3 Plant Growth Strategies, Allocation to Production of Different Types of Plants, Changes in Production, and Biomass During Succession 1.3.4 Soils and Their Effect on Primary Production and Suitability for Agriculture and Forestry 1.4 Secondary Production 1.4.1 Energy Balance of Heterotrophic Organisms 1.4.2 Factors Influencing Secondary Production 1.5 Diversity 1.5.1 Factors Affecting Diversity 1.5.2 The Relationship Between Production and Diversity 1.6 Competition Between Organisms and Its Relationship with Production and Yield 1.7 Flow of Energy and Matter in the Ecosystem 1.7.1 Energy Flow 1.7.2 Water Cycle 1.7.3 Cycles of Major Biogenic Elements Chapter 2: Agriculture 2.1 Definition, Development, and Types of Agriculture 2.1.1 Development of Agriculture 2.1.2 Types of Agriculture 2.2 Crop Production 2.2.1 Crops, Origin, and Development 2.2.1.1 Main Types of Agricultural Crops 2.2.1.2 Varieties and Breeding 2.2.2 Agrotechniques: Adjustment of Conditions for Plants in Agriculture 2.2.2.1 Additional Energy 2.2.2.2 Fertilization and Plant Nutrition Main Types of Fertilizers Nitrogen Fertilizers Phosphorus Fertilizers Potassium Fertilizers Fertilizer Application 2.2.2.3 Irrigation and Drainage 2.2.2.4 Plant Protection 2.2.3 Cultivation of Field Crops 2.2.4 Permanent Grassland 2.2.5 Permanent Crops and Agroforestry 2.2.6 Horticulture 2.2.7 Agricultural Mechanization 2.3 Crop Production and Ecosystems 2.3.1 Impacts of Agriculture at a Landscape Level 2.3.2 Water and Energy Flow 2.3.3 Nutrient Flow in the Landscape and the Cycle of Elements 2.3.4 Organic Matter, Erosion, and Other Effects on Soil 2.3.5 Crop Production and Biodiversity 2.3.6 Crop Production and Global Climate Change 2.4 Animal Production 2.4.1 Biological Basis of Animal Production 2.4.2 The Main Species of Livestock and Their Origin 2.4.3 Animal Husbandry 2.4.3.1 Pastoralism 2.4.3.2 Keeping of Housed Animals 2.4.4 Feeding Livestock 2.5 Animal Production and Its Effects on Organisms and Ecosystems 2.5.1 Impact on Habitats and Biodiversity 2.5.2 Impact on Biogeochemical Cycles, Pollution, and Global Change 2.5.3 Living Conditions of Domestic Animals 2.6 Organic Farming and Other Approaches to Environmentally Friendly Agriculture 2.6.1 Organic Farming and Its Impact on the Environment and Human Health 2.6.2 Alternative Approaches to Environmentally Friendly Agriculture 2.7 Alternatives for the Development of Future Agriculture Chapter 3: Forestry and Hunting 3.1 Forest and Biological Bases of Forestry 3.1.1 Definition of Forest and Its Function 3.1.2 Types of Forest 3.1.3 Growth and Development of Natural Forests 3.1.4 The Main Species of Forest Trees 3.2 Forest Cultivation, Clear-Cut, and Continuous Forest 3.2.1 Reforestation 3.2.2 Thinning 3.2.3 Forest Harvest 3.2.4 Forest Protection 3.2.4.1 Abiotic Factors 3.2.4.2 Biotic Factors - Pests 3.3 Lignicultures and Plantations of Fast-Growing Woody Plants 3.4 Forest Management and Ecosystems 3.4.1 Forest Management and Biodiversity 3.4.2 The Importance of the Forest for the Water Movement in the Landscape 3.4.3 Forest and Biogeochemical Cycles 3.4.4 Forest and Global Change 3.5 Game and Hunting 3.5.1 Most Important Game Species 3.5.2 Game Production, Hunting Strategies, Planning, and Management of Hunting 3.5.3 Impact of Hunting on Game Populations and Ecosystems Chapter 4: Fisheries and Aquaculture 4.1 Biological Bases of Fisheries 4.1.1 Growth of Fish Populations and Methods of Optimizing Their Fishing 4.1.2 Production of World Waters and Their Use 4.1.2.1 Sea and Oceans 4.1.2.2 Inland Waters 4.1.3 Most Important Species of Caught Marine Animals 4.2 Main Methods of Catching Fish and Other Animals and Their Environmental Impacts 4.2.1 Fishing for Marine Fish, Crustaceans, and Mollusks 4.2.2 Whaling 4.2.3 Freshwater Fishing 4.2.4 Environmental Impacts of Fishing 4.2.5 Sport Fishing and Its Environmental Impacts 4.2.6 Possibilities of Fishing Regulation 4.3 Aquaculture 4.3.1 Types of Aquaculture and Their Scope 4.3.2 Main Species of Fish and Other Organisms in Aquaculture 4.3.3 Pond Farming and Other Inland Aquaculture and Their Environmental Impacts 4.3.4 Marine Aquaculture and its Environmental Impacts 4.4 Impacts of Agriculture and Forestry on Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems