Objective:

To analyze the functions of ecosystemic services in animal husbandry systems for sustainable food production in Cuba.

Materials and Methods:

The current situation of ecosystemic services as components of animal husbandry systems was analyzed, with priority given to the provisioning ones, such as the soil, species biodiversity, animal genetic resources, water and energy.

Results:

In any food production system, the systemic approach and appraisal about the protection of ecosystemic services is crucial, because they constitute the motor force for environment protection and human welfare. Although all the ecosystemic services participate in an important way, the conservation of soil, water and biodiversity is essential because they are the basis of the pyramid that supports all the ecosystemic resources. There is innovative evidence in agricultural production systems on agroecological bases that supports the need to change the way of thinking, inhabiting and moving towards reconversion of conventional systems.

Conclusions:

Ecosystemic services are focused from an integrating vision, and it is agroecological management the one that allows the understanding of their benefits. Agroecology is based on the protection of natural resources and considers the multidimensionality of systems and interactions, including the human factor and local knowledge, elements that make food security viable.

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