Aquaponics : Combining Aquaculture and Hydroponics

Covers the theory, concepts and approaches of aquaponics - a technology that integrates aquaculture and hydroponics - and its potential as a sustainable food production system.

Aquaponics is a system of agriculture that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to cultivate both plants and fish. Fish waste is broken down by bacteria into dissolved nutrients that plants then utilize to grow. It is a sustainable crop production system, that requires no soil, uses water very efficiently and can be built almost anywhere, including highly populated urban communities. As the world''s population continues to grow, and resources such as land, water and nutrients are limited, aquaponics is one possible alternative method to traditional agriculture, for providing food. This book, a translation of Aquaponie, published by Éditions Quae, describes the development of aquaculture in the world and covers:Essential concepts, approaches and usesFish, plants and bacteria: three components of aquacultureDesign and monitoring of an aquaculture systemRegulatory, societal and economic challengesAimed at researchers in aquaculture, horticulture and sustainable agriculture, this book is also suitable for practitioners and commercial developers in aquaponics.