In the ongoing quest to transform global food systems towards sustainability, a growing body of research highlights a critical oversight that could be limiting progress: the marginalization of water and aquatic foods within prevailing agroecological frameworks. While agroecology has long been heralded as a blueprint for environmentally sound and socially equitable agriculture, it has traditionally emphasized terrestrial aspects, often overlooking the vital interconnections between land, water, and aquatic food resources. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Food by Freed, Lo, McCartney, and colleagues now challenges this paradigm, proposing a transformative integration of aquatic environments and their offerings into the principles guiding agroecological transitions.
This research comes at a time when the world faces unprecedented pressures from climate change and intensifying agricultural demands, both of which contribute significantly to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Land and water resources, essential components of functioning food systems, are increasingly compromised by unsustainable practices, undermining productivity and resilience. The innovative proposition to weave aquatic elements explicitly into agroecological principles signals a crucial step towards overcoming these challenges by harnessing the full spectrum of ecosystem services spanning terrestrial and aquatic domains.
One of the most striking contributions of the study is its thorough examination and subsequent rephrasing of six established agroecological principles, each adjusted to encompass water, aquatic foods, and the integration of land-to-seascapes. By doing so, the authors illuminate how traditional agroecology’s predominantly terrestrial focus inadvertently constrains the potential for holistic, landscape-scale interventions that can drive truly sustainable food system transformation. This paradigm shift recognizes that the hydrological connectivity and health of both freshwater and marine ecosystems are indispensable for food security and ecosystem resilience, especially in the face of climate variability.
Aquatic foods — encompassing fish, shellfish, algae, and other organisms harvested directly from aquatic environments — provide not only a rich source of nutrition but also possess a relatively low environmental footprint compared to many terrestrial animal protein sources. Despite their proven importance in global diets, aquatic foods have remained peripheral in agroecological discourse and practice. Freed and colleagues argue persuasively for their central inclusion, emphasizing that aquatic food systems, when managed according to ecological principles, can reduce pressures on land resources, bolster biodiversity, and enhance equitable access to nutrition.
Delving deeper into the integrated land–water nexus, the paper stresses that agricultural landscapes cannot be conceptualized in isolation from adjoining aquatic ecosystems. This includes rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal zones, which collectively form dynamic systems that regulate water quality, nutrient cycling, and habitat connectivity. The authors advocate for embracing a ‘land-to-seascape’ approach, where management strategies are designed to optimize the symbiotic relationships between terrestrial and aquatic elements, thus enhancing overall ecosystem productivity and resilience.
A particularly compelling aspect involves the suggested cross-sectoral actions intended to leverage aquatic features within agroecosystems. For instance, restoring floodplains and wetlands adjacent to agricultural lands can serve multiple functions: improving water retention and filtration, providing habitat for aquatic species, and buffering against floods and droughts. Integrating aquaculture practices into diversified farming systems further exemplifies how aquatic and terrestrial food production can mutually reinforce sustainability objectives.
From a policy perspective, the integration of water and aquatic foods demands coordinated governance mechanisms that transcend traditional sectoral boundaries. Agricultural policies, fisheries management, water resource planning, and biodiversity conservation must become better aligned to enable integrated land-water management. Freed et al.’s work underscores the necessity for transdisciplinary collaboration, where scientists, farmers, fishers, and policymakers co-create solutions that are ecologically sound and socially just.
Furthermore, the researchers highlight the importance of inclusive approaches that recognize the roles of indigenous and local communities, who often possess intricate knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and sustainable harvesting practices. Their involvement is critical not only for implementing agroecological principles effectively but also for safeguarding cultural heritage tied to aquatic food systems. This inclusion reinforces equity dimensions critical to food system transformation.
Addressing climate change adaptation, the study elucidates how aquatic ecosystems can act as buffers against environmental shocks. Healthy wetlands, for example, sequester significant amounts of carbon while regulating hydrological extremes, thereby enhancing the climate resilience of adjacent agricultural landscapes. Aquatic foods provide alternative livelihood and dietary options during times of terrestrial crop failure, diversifying risk and improving food system robustness.
The research’s technical rigor is reflected in its comprehensive synthesis of ecological, social, and economic dimensions underpinning agroecological principles. This interdisciplinary analysis draws on hydrology, fisheries science, agroecosystem ecology, and socio-economic frameworks, offering a roadmap for operationalizing integrated food systems that are both sustainable and nutritious. The study dismantles disciplinary silos, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecosystem processes and human well-being.
Intriguingly, Freed and colleagues also call for the refinement of agroecological principles to better incorporate metrics and indicators that capture aquatic ecosystem functions and services. Current monitoring frameworks often overlook or inadequately assess water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and fishery health, thereby limiting feedback loops essential for adaptive management. Enhanced data integration and technological innovations, such as remote sensing and environmental DNA, could revolutionize how aquatic components are embedded within agroecological assessments.
By repositioning water and aquatic foods at the core of agroecology, the study invites a reimagining of food system narratives that have long separated land from water, agriculture from fisheries. This conceptual realignment not only mirrors the ecological reality of coupled land-sea systems but also opens new avenues for sustainable food production strategies that respond to the complexities of 21st-century challenges.
The implications of this research extend beyond academic discourse into tangible shifts in farming and fisheries practices. Embracing polyculture systems that incorporate aquatic species alongside traditional crops can enhance biodiversity, reduce reliance on external inputs, and optimize nutrient cycling. Such mixed systems have shown promise in small-scale and community-based initiatives, illustrating scalability potential.
Moreover, the proposed inclusion of aquatic foods within agroecological frameworks may catalyze innovation in food processing, marketing, and consumption, fostering diversified diets rich in micronutrients essential for human health. This is particularly pertinent in regions where malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies persist, and where aquatic foods represent accessible, affordable sources of high-quality nutrition.
In conclusion, this seminal work by Freed et al. charts a compelling path forward for agroecology and food system transformation. By articulating the imperative to integrate water and aquatic foods explicitly into agroecological principles and actions, the study bridges gaps between traditionally siloed sectors and underscores the multifaceted potential of aquatic ecosystems to contribute to sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems globally. As the world confronts mounting environmental and social challenges, this integrated approach offers a beacon of hope for nourishing both people and the planet.
Subject of Research: Integration of water and aquatic foods within agroecological principles to accelerate sustainable food systems transformation.
Article Title: Water and aquatic foods in revised principles of agroecology can accelerate food systems transformation.
Article References:
Freed, S., Lo, M.G.Y., McCartney, M. et al. Water and aquatic foods in revised principles of agroecology can accelerate food systems transformation. Nat Food 6, 432–439 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-025-01152-9
Image Credits: AI Generated
