ABSTRACT
Monocultures are dominated by a single plant species and, therefore, represent an extreme example of agroecosystems with low diversity. Such systems are more susceptible to weather disasters, pest or disease outbreaks, and other catastrophes. A high degree of management and external inputs is required to maintain these types of agroecosystems. In contrast, many natural ecosystems appear to be more stable and less subject to fluctuations in populations of their component organisms.
