Why does this matter? Because understanding how agricultural systems transitioned – through mechanisation, specialisation, and industrialisation – helps us identify legacy effects, and gain knowledge to tackle modern challenges like how to achieve more sustainable food production, reverse biodiversity loss and combat climate change.

Using a treasure trove of more than 30 million historical records and linking these to detailed maps, Nele Lohrum uncovered interesting trends and patterns, like east-west frontiers of hot spots of changes in agricultural production dividing Denmark. This research also revealed how past agricultural systems were influenced by for example a growing population density or access to market towns and still shape agriculture today.

The discoveries highlight why history matters in agroecology. By blending past insights with modern science, Nele Lohrum shows how we can contribute to policy advice to balance productivity with sustainability, offering a hopeful path forward for future agricultural production systems.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 10
Place: Building 8814, Room 3075, AU Foulum, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele
Title of PhD thesis: AGROECOLOGY AND SYSTEM TRANSITIONS FROM HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL AND SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES