Abstract

The purpose of this case study is to provide undergraduates an opportunity to critically appraise the sustainability of five real-world Honduran agroecosystems. In particular, this exercise introduces the concepts of biodiversity, polycultures, monocultures, cropping practices, and their intersections. Throughout the case study, students are presented with supporting information and comprehensive questions. In a capstone synthesis exercise, students are challenged to valuate and present on the relative sustainability of each system using a pre-defined set of evaluative criteria (social, economic and environmental). The objective of this exercise is to give students a forum to critically deconstruct the merits and challenges of each system while identifying commonalities with American agriculture. This case study is suitable for students with an interest in the nexus between crop production, ecology, environmental literacy, and sustainability.