In the last several posts we've introduced the concept of ecosystem matrices into our discussion of organic integrated pest management (OIPM). A balanced ecosystem exists when all of the many existing biological and geophysical entities are functioning in equilibrium with themselves and each other. This seamless functioning forms the basis of an organic integrated pest management approach for the hemp farm.
Balanced ecosystems function efficiently. Throughout deep time nature has refined how ecosystems work so that all life within an ecosystem has a place, function and role to play. Within the biological and geophysical parameters of a balanced ecosystem, all life forms carry out predictable, functional duty. Change does occurs but in a measured sense. Functional ecosystem homeostasis is usually maintained on a rolling basis.
However, when the ecosystem becomes unbalanced some life forms may become overly dominant, consuming and damaging to other ecosystem entities. Hemp farm pests such as certain caterpillars for example may play an important role in a balanced ecosystem yet in the absence of normally present control factors and predators, such as fire or birds, may experience such a rise in population numbers that they disrupt the predictable garden homeostasis and cause uncontrolled damage to crops.
The key to maintaining ecosystem homeostasis begins with an understanding of the hemp growing areas' biological and geophysical dynamics. What fungi, plants and animal live on and use the hemp farm land? What are the typical weather trends including rainfall amount and wind characteristics? What is the soil comprised of? How is the air quality? Every life form and geophysical variable that interacts with other farm life forms and geophysical parameters becomes an important part of the ecosystem matrix flux.
A good start to understanding ecosystem matrices begins with a list of what exists and what is happening across the growing area. A hemp farmer who has a good understanding of his or her farm's ecosystem matrix should be able to jot down a relatively comprehensive bullet list of their garden's parameters . This list will represent the existing site variables. The existing state is a reflection of the site in the present moment. The list of existing site parameters will usually be somewhat different than the site's historical, or intrinsic list of what has previously existed and happened across the site previous to human development impacts.
This list should evolve into an ongoing effort in identifying the hemp farm's ecosystem variables, much like a diary. The process of journalling identifies plants, animals, insects, weather conditions, sunrise and sunset times, weather events such as snow, rain and wind, and other variables. The hemp farm ecosystem matrix variable journal can be developed over time by notation of observed variables into a notebook, on a phone or the computer.
The hemp farm journal will become more and more accurate and comprehensive over time as documentation accumulates. Certainly collection of data requires a focused effort. Day in and day out the hemp farmer must record what they encounter during the day. Often, the most seemingly insignificant events can many times be the trigger that exerts influence over pests. Many times these trigger events can go unnoticed, all the while supporting an increased pest presence.
As the amount of information in the journal grows, the usefulness of the data increases. For me, the key to understanding volumes of hemp farm journal data is found in how the data is presented. The journal's daily entries need to be arranged in a visually coherent manner to be most relevant and useful. Once the raw data is compiled into a logical presentation, relationships between pest damage and ecosystem matrix variables can be more easily identified.
Although any collected data can be useful to the hemp farmer, a comprehensive journal will contain a minimum of one complete years observations. A multi-year hemp growing journal will contain invaluable information that can provide worthwhile tools to the grower.
There are several approaches to organizing hemp farm existing matrix variables. Table format is one way and graphs are another approach. As a visual learner I do best with data arranged in graphic presentation. There are any number of ways to arrange hemp farm ecosystem matrix data and while developing the existing ecosystem matrix variable list it is worthwhile to also research what the site's historical (intrinsic) ecosystem matrix might have been like. Sometimes, on non-disturbed high quality successional or native forest sites there will be few differences between the existing ecosystem matrix or matrices and the intrinsic, historical ecosystem matrices.
Across farmed, agricultural or in disturbed urban garden sites the existing and historically intrinsic ecosystem matrices will differ. As there will usually be a number of remnant matrix variables still interacting on disturbed sites, it will be important for the hemp grower to have a broad understanding of both the intrinsic and existing ecosystem matrices on their cultivation plot or greenhouse.
Knowledge of how the growing plot evolved on a historical basis and how the land functions today will allow the hemp grower to quickly assess trends, those beneficial to desired plant growth and those detrimental to the hemp crop (or any other organically grown crop).
A highly successful Organic Integrated Pest Management System must be based in comprehensive knowledge of how the growing area functioned as an ecosystem in past times and how the farm's present ecosystem variables interact.
With this knowledge the grower can hopefully begin to manage ecosystem matrix variables with organic based approaches. The finest hemp plants may be grown this way, without toxic and industrial chemicals. The beauty of organically grown plants encompasses so many health and quality benefits, always appreciated by both the consumer.
How you depict your ecosystem matrix depends on what table, illustration, chart or list works best for you. Each grower will have their own method. The important fact is that the grower understands that the cultivation site possesses a historical (intrinsic) set of ecosystem variables which have evolved over time into the unique matrix of today.
A grower who understands how their intrinsic and existing ecosystem matrices function will produce the very best organic agriculture product with minimal pest pressure. Organic integrated pest management must begin with this broad understanding of site dynamics.
