The evolution of natural ecosystems is controled by a high level of biodiversity, In sharp contrast, intensive agricultural systems involve monocultures associated with high input of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Intensive agricultural systems have clearly negative impacts on soil and water quality and on biodiversity conservation. Alternatively, cropping systems based on carefully designed species mixtures reveal many potential advantages under various conditions, both in temperate and tropical agriculture. This article reviews those potential advantages by addressing the reasons for mixing plant species; the concepts and tools required for understanding and designing cropping systems with mixed species; and the ways of simulating multispecies cropping systems with models. Multispecies systems are diverse and may include annual and perennial crops on a gradient of complexity from 2 to n species. A literature survey shows potential advantages such as (1) higher overall productivity, (2) better control of pests and diseases, (3) enhanced ecological services and (4) greater economic profitability. Agronomic and ecological conceptual frameworks are examined for a clearer understanding of cropping systems, including the concepts of competition and facilitation, above- and belowground interactions and the types of biological interactions between species that enable better pest management in the system. After a review of existing models, future directions in modelling plant mixtures are proposed. We conclude on the need to enhance agricultural research on these multispecies systems, combining both agronomic and ecological concepts and tools.

中文翻译：

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在种植系统中混合植物物种：概念，工具和模型。回顾

自然生态系统的演化受高水平的生物多样性控制。形成鲜明对比的是，集约化农业系统涉及与大量化肥和农药投入相关的单一栽培。集约化农业系统显然对土壤和水质以及生物多样性保护产生负面影响。另外，基于精心设计的物种混合物的种植系统在温带和热带农业的各种条件下都显示出许多潜在的优势。本文通过解决混合植物物种的原因来回顾这些潜在的优势；了解和设计混合物种的种植系统所需的概念和工具；以及使用模型模拟多品种种植系统的方式。多物种系统是多种多样的，并且可能包括复杂程度从2种到n种的一年生和多年生作物。文献调查显示了潜在的优势，例如（1）更高的整体生产率，（2）更好地控制病虫害，（3）增强的生态服务和（4）更大的经济收益。审查了农业和生态概念框架，以更清晰地了解种植系统，包括竞争和促进概念，地上和地下相互作用以及物种间生物相互作用的类型，以实现对系统的更好害虫管理。在对现有模型进行回顾之后，提出了对植物混合物进行建模的未来方向。我们得出结论，有必要加强对这些多物种系统的农业研究，