THE SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS FOR AGROECOSYSTEMS: STATE OF ART, LIMITS AND POTENTIAL OF A NEW TOOL TO EVALUATE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The study on sustainability indicators still in its beginning, as can be inferred by the generality of objectives, the type of users and the scale amplitude chosen by the programs concerned with these studies. The notion of sustainability, which has to be clearly defined by the program, and the systems approach as the basic methodology, are still to be incorporated in the programs. Most programs do not show the practical applicability of the indicators. The interpretation process, which is considered the key aspect of the "indicators" matter, is not yet defined by the programs. While is an evident concern about the development of environmental indicators, there is still a gap of indicators related to more subjective aspects. The continuity of the studies on sustainability indicators may contribute to the definition of solutions conducive to reversion of important social and environmental problems faced by humanity today.