Mathematical and statistical models will be used to identify the key trade-offs and compensatory responses between soil, plant, microbial and invertebrate components of the low input system and to estimate the likely economic implications relative to conventional management practices.

Figure 1 illustrates the main components of the arable system with potential, or likely, interactions between them that result in differences between conventionally managed and ‘sustainably’ managed arable ecosystems. Red lines indicate likely negative influences, black lines are positive effects.

The integrated, whole-system approach proposed here will allow investigation of the trade-offs between these positive and negative influences on emergent system properties, and identification of characteristics necessary to compensate yield under low input systems.