Agroforestry Systems最新文献

The long-term survival of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is increasingly at risk due to changing climate patterns and the rise in pest and disease outbreaks. This study evaluates the climate resilience of six large cardamom cultivars Seremna, Dzongu Golsey, Sawney, Ramsey, Ramla, and Varlangey using a combined approach of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and the Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method called TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution). Data were gathered through Participatory Rural Appraisal tools, surveys, and expert consultations with Lepcha farmers from the Dzongu region. Five key criteria were prioritized: productivity, resistance to pests and diseases, lifespan, climate adaptability, and environmental tolerance. These criteria were weighted and analyzed using TOPSIS to calculate each cultivar’s resilience score. Seremna is the most climate-resilient cultivar, with a Closeness Coefficient of 0.94, performing best across all resilience measures. Dzongu Golsey and Sawney ranked in the middle, while Ramla and Varlangey ranked lowest. This study highlights the value of community led assessments in identifying climate-resilient crops and demonstrates the usefulness of participatory MCDM methods in agroecological planning. By combining IK with structured analysis provides a flexible and context-aware model and shows the advantages of integrating in selecting climate-resilient large cardamom cultivars. The findings also draw attention to the climate sensitivity of large cardamom cultivars in the Sikkim Himalaya.

Agroforestry practices in tropical agricultural landscapes serve as critical refuges for woody species, yet the combines roles of ecological and socioeconomic drivers in shaping species composition and diversity remain underexplored in Ethiopia. This study examined woody species composition across home gardens, parklands, and woodlots, and quantified the influence of ecological and socioeconomic factors in northwestern Ethiopia. Using a multistage sampling approach, 90 households were selected across three landscapes, and 176 sample plots were surveyed. A total of 68 woody species belonging to 54 genera and 36 families were recorded, of which 72% were native and 28% exotic. Species composition differed significantly across agroforestry practices, landscapes, and agroecological zones (p < 0.05). Species richness and diversity were highest in home gardens (6.81 ± 3.2 and 1.28 ± 0.49, respectively), intermediate in parklands (3.95 ± 2.2 and 0.93 ± 0.53), and lowest in woodlots (2.09 ± 1.4 and 0.24 ± 0.29) (p < 0.001). Ecological gradients, particularly slope and altitude, positively influenced woody species richness and diversity in home gardens and woodlots, reflecting the role of microhabitat heterogeneity and elevational variation. Socioeconomic factors including access to financial credit, training on tree management, and media exposure showed strong positive associations with species richness and diversity (p < 0.05), with the highest diversity observed when farmers combined credit access with conservation training. Conversely, increasing tropical livestock units negatively impacted species richness in parklands (p < 0.02). These results highlight a synergistic “socio-ecological leverage effect,” whereby farmers′ management capacity interacts with ecological opportunity to shape woody species diversity. Our findings underscore the need for integrated conservation strategies that consider both ecological conditions and socioeconomic support, such as targeted microcredit programs, localized training, and knowledge-sharing platforms, to enhance biodiversity and sustain agroforestry practices in Ethiopian agricultural landscapes.

This article explores the representation of silvopastoral systems in European art from the 16th to the nineteenth century, with a specific focus on ruminant livestock grazing in wooded environments. Drawing from a wide interdisciplinary body of literature in agroforestry, environmental history and art history, this study adopts a scoping review approach combined with visual analysis of selected artworks. While not a systematic review, it synthesizes existing scientific knowledge on silvopastoralism (defined as the integration of trees, forage, and livestock) and applies this lens to historical paintings. By analyzing key botanical, forestry, zootechnical and land use elements in selected works, the research highlights the relationship between humans, animals, and natural ecosystems as captured through visual art. Particular attention is given to silvopastoral elements such as grazing patterns, tree cover, and animal breeds. Methodologically, the paper integrates knowledge from plant and animal sciences, ecology, and livestock management to assess how these elements are portrayed. The study indicates how artistic depictions provide valuable insights into historical land-use practices, animal husbandry, tree species, and rural socio-ecological dynamics that shape the European agroforestry heritage.

Grewia optiva is a commonly used tree species in the agroforestry systems of Northwestern Himalayan region. Grewia optiva is typically maintained on bunds of the field. Grewia optiva has a significant potential to sequester atmospheric carbon and store it in its biomass as well as soil. However, the variation in its carbon sequestration potential, soil physicochemical properties and leaf nutritional value across different agro-climatic zones is not well understood. Therefore, the present study was carried out in different agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh (India), to assess the variation in Grewia. optiva carbon stock, soil physicochemical properties and leaf nutritional status. The study was carried out in three different agro-climatic zones, Z1 (< 1000 m), Z2 (1000–1500 m) and Z3 (1500–2000 m). Within each agro-climatic zone, four sites (S1, S2, S3 and S4) were randomly selected at different altitudes for the purpose of sample collection. The results revealed that the carbon stock decreased significantly from Z1 to Z3. The soil properties viz. soil moisture content, soil water holding capacity, soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased from Z1 to Z3, whereas, soil bulk density, soil pH, soil EC and soil exchangeable calcium exhibited an opposite trend. The leaf parameters viz. crude protein, ether extract, organic matter and leaf phosphorus increased across the agro-climatic zones, however, leaf fibre fractions, ash contents, and leaf calcium decreased from Z1 to Z3. This investigation highlights the climate change mitigation potential of this species besides different provisioning services it provides and would help to understand its nutritional value as a fodder for livestock in Northwestern Himalayan region.

Accurate estimation of tree biomass and carbon stocks is essential for evaluating the ecological and economic contributions of agroforestry systems. This study developed allometric equations for estimating component-wise and total biomass and carbon in shea tree based on destructive sampling of 30 trees in Sudanian parklands of Burkina Faso. The objectives were to (i) assess biomass allocation among tree components, (ii) develop allometric models for aboveground and belowground biomass, and (iii) estimate carbon stocks based on tree-level biomass and wood carbon content. Total aboveground biomass ranged from 36.4 to 489.2 kg tree⁻¹, and belowground biomass from 9.7 to 142.3 kg tree⁻¹. The root-to-shoot ratio averaged 0.29 ± 0.07 and decreased significantly with increasing crown area, indicating a size-dependent shift in carbon allocation. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) yielded robust models (pseudo-R² = 0.95 for AGB, 0.89 for BGB) with diameter, height, and crown area as key predictors. Mean carbon concentration was 48.9%, and tree-level carbon stock ranged from 23.2 to 309.5 kg. These equations provide species-specific tools for carbon quantification in dryland agroforestry systems and can support national reporting and land restoration strategies in West Africa.

Agroforestry has received considerable attention in the literature as a pathway to climate-smart agriculture, particularly in cocoa production, which is highly climate-sensitive. Nevertheless, agroforestry adoption remains low, and the determinants of adoption are not yet fully understood. Using qualitative data from 185 households, this study assessed the influence of farmers’ climate risk perceptions on cocoa agroforestry adoption in marginal areas of Ghana. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test for association, and binary logistic regression. Findings indicate that farmers’ understanding of the drivers of change was mixed, and encompassed deforestation (75.5%), natural occurrence (12%), sins of mankind (9.4%) and prophesied end times (3.1%). Despite attributing climate change mainly to deforestation, the link between forest loss and carbon emissions was generally not recognised by farmers. The logistic regression model revealed that while perception of agroforestry as the most beneficial climate-smart strategy for farmers influenced cocoa agroforestry adoption positively (p = 0.004), adoption was negatively influenced by perception of delayed and declining seasonal rainfall (p = 0.028), attribution of climate change to spiritual factors (p = 0.056), and lack of knowledge of the most beneficial climate-smart strategy for farmers (p = 0.028). Findings suggest that the farmer’s rainfall risk perceptions and spiritual beliefs are important considerations in agroforestry adoption decision-making at the local level. To facilitate agroforestry adoption in local communities, findings further underscore the need to design a comprehensive climate education programme for farmers. Climate education should be designed to strengthen farmers’ knowledge of anthropogenic carbon emissions, while debunking their misconceptions about spiritual factors.

Mediterranean agroecosystems, especially silvopastoral systems, face increasing pressures from climate change and land use intensification. Monitoring soil biodiversity in these systems is essential for understanding their ecological status and resilience. This study evaluates the combined role of soil-dwelling fungi and microarthropods as bioindicators of ecosystem condition under two land-use types (grassland and silvopasture) and different grazing intensities within silvopasture. Soil samples were collected from a central Italian farm during two seasons (spring and autumn). Community structure was assessed using Berlese extraction followed by taxonomic identification for microarthropods and DNA metabarcoding for fungi. Diversity indices and multivariate analyses (NMDS, PERMANOVA) revealed that microarthropod communities were more sensitive to land use and grazing intensity, whereas fungal communities were significantly shaped by sampling time. Specific taxa indicative of grazing intensity and vegetation structure were identified. These findings demonstrate the value of using complementary bioindicators to inform sustainable management and biodiversity monitoring protocols in Mediterranean agroforestry systems.

Improving agricultural productivity while safeguarding ecosystem services and social well-being has become increasingly urgent under current climate constraints. Cocoa represents a relevant case within this context, as it is widely cultivated by smallholders in biodiverse tropical countries through agroforestry systems. However, we still lack information on how to simultaneously optimize ecosystem services, particularly carbon storage, and crop yield. To address this, we evaluated aboveground carbon stocks and cocoa yield in 47 agroforestry farms in southern Bahia, Brazil, aiming to identify management strategies that support both high productivity and high carbon storage. Our approach involved: (i) estimating aboveground carbon and examining its relationship with landscape forest cover, shade levels, and a composite management index (fertilization, weeding, pruning, and cocoa tree density); (ii) modelling cocoa yield as a function of forest cover, vegetation structure, carbon stock, shade, and management intensity; (iii) assessing the effect of individual management practices on yield; and (iv) identifying the combination of management conditions associated with achieving 500 kg ha⁻¹, estimating the magnitude of adjustments needed to reach this benchmark. Shade levels were the primary driver of carbon storage, concentrating approximately 93% of the carbon in their biomass. Trees were predominantly native and contributed to biodiversity conservation while representing potential assets for participation in carbon markets. For productivity, the management index was the most influential factor in the first model. The second model showed that weeding, pruning, and combined organic and chemical fertilization significantly enhanced yield, whereas cocoa density did not significantly influence productivity. To exceed the 500 kg ha⁻¹ threshold, farms required at least organic fertilization three times per year (or chemical fertilization once per year), seven pruning events per year, three weeding events per year, and a minimum density of 810 cocoa trees per hectare. Importantly, these practices were compatible with maintaining high shade, indicating that ecological benefits and yield gains can be achieved concurrently. Strengthening technical assistance and targeted financial incentives may help enhance productivity in cocoa landscapes while supporting environmental goals.

Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is a low-cost, farmer-led land restoration technique that promotes the regrowth and management of indigenous tree species from existing rootstocks or seeds. As a Nature-Based Solution (NbS), FMNR enhances soil fertility, improves crop productivity, supports biodiversity, and strengthens climate resilience, particularly in semi-arid, smallholder farming systems. This study investigates how different types of farm power (manual labor, animal traction, chemical inputs, and mechanization) influence the adoption and long-term sustainability of FMNR in Ghana’s Upper West Region. Using a qualitative research design and guided by the Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) framework, data were collected through in-depth interviews and farm-level observations with 30 long-term FMNR practitioners across three districts. The findings show that while manual and animal-powered systems facilitate selective tree management, they are labor-intensive and shaped by gendered divisions of work. In contrast, chemical and mechanical approaches reduce labor demands but pose threats to regenerating trees when misapplied. Farmers proposed several adaptive strategies, including FMNR-compatible mechanization (e.g., two-wheel tractors), targeted herbicide use, collective labor-sharing, and community-managed grazing zones. The study concludes that the success of FMNR as an NbS depends on aligning farm power systems with ecological goals, labor dynamics, and gender realities. Policy support, extension services, and incentives are essential to scaling FMNR as a sustainable pathway for restoring degraded lands while safeguarding livelihoods.

Graphical abstract

The present study empirically investigates the contribution of homestead agroforestry (HAF) systems on enhancing household food security in Sivasagar District, Assam (India) using a novel Participatory Food Security Index (PFSI). Drawing on a mixed-methods research design that includes detailed household surveys, participatory rural appraisal, group discussions, and observations in the field, this study aims to practically define the four pillars of food security as put forth by the Food and Agriculture Organization viz. availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The novelty of the PFSI lies in its participatory and composite design that integrates all four FAO pillars of food security with community-driven insights such as food-sharing, preservation practices, and resilience strategies, etc. Unlike existing metrics like FIES, HFIAS, and FCS, it captures multidimensional, context-specific, and temporal dynamics of food security at the village level, addressing social and ecological factors often overlooked by standardized tools. The findings illustrate that while HAF systems have continued to provide a range and diversity of important and nutritious food groups, traditional plant diversity, sharing networks at the community level, and food self-sufficiency has declined significantly. The findings utilized in this paper gives practical metrics and comparisons for the use of agroforestry in food security programming by policymakers and practitioners in a similar rural context looking to re-engage with agroforestry as a positive tool for food security.