Eco-Sustainability assessment of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques: Indicator system and calculator

Abstract

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on sustainable control of pests through a combination of techniques. In present study, an indicator system, which is a hierarchical system, for eco-sustainability assessment of Integrated Pest Management techniques is proposed. The indicator system is based on various IPM techniques in which an indicator represents a category of IPM techniques (external interventions). The eco-sustainability assessment follows such criteria as the impact of external interventions on the ecosystem and environment (e.g., ecosystem completeness, environmental impact, and human health impact, etc.), the intensity and frequency of external interventions, and the sustainability of IPM. In the assessment system, all categories of IPM techniques are scored and the weighted score for IPM techniques used is calculated for the assessment of IPM sustainability. A calculator is developed for assessment. The calculator is web browser based that includes both online and offline versions and can be used on web browsers. The system can be used to assess an IPM programme and compare between IPM programmes, or used as a tool for IPM teaching and training.

Keywords

• integrated pest management (ipm)
• techniques
• ecosystem
• sustainability
• assessment
• ecological impact
• calculator