Agroforestry Systems最新文献

It is widely recognized that agroforestry (AF) provides smallholder farmers with an array of social, economic, and ecological benefits. This study was aimed to assess the socio-economic and environmental benefits, conduct an investment analysis, document tree management operations, and examine the factors influencing the adoption of AF practices in the Eastern escarpment of Chercher Massive, South-East Ethiopia across four districts and six kebeles. A mixed method approach was employed to collect data from 432 respondents. The results revealed fifteen socio-economic and six environmental benefits of AF farms were mentioned. The uses of AF as source of cash, food, timber and firewood became the most prevalent ones. Farmers also plant trees on their farmland to get environmental benefits with the use of shade (90.7%) being the most frequently mentioned followed by soil erosion control. The finding also demonstrated that AF farm households mean annual net income was about 18.25% higher compared to the non-AF farm households. The analysis of the Benefit–Cost Ratio also showed that the AF farm households were found to be about 21.62% higher compared to that of the non-AF farm households indicating that farmers can decide to adopt AF practices. The AF farmers implement six main tree management strategies to maintain trees on their AF farms with pruning being the most implemented tending operation (90.5%), followed by thinning (80.6%). The Problem Facing Index (PFI) was used to identify and rank the farmers problems in implementing AF practices with longer rotation age of trees, lack of need assessment on the types of tree seedlings and the absence of nearby tree nurseries being the most severe problems. The binary regression model also indicated that demographic, socioeconomic and institutional characteristics of the households were found to affect the adoption of AF practices. However, the influence of access to irrigation services and improved seedlings were statistically insignificant. It is crucial to prioritize the development of farmer-based management strategies that integrate trees, crops, and livestock in order to produce highly demanded products and services for both socio-economic and environmental benefits of the farming households. The results may aid stakeholder in making sound decisions that will enhance rural livelihoods.

On-farm tree planting is recommended to enhance agricultural productivity while promoting ecological conservation and providing socio-economic benefits. However, limited studies distinguish this practice from other agroforestry methods, particularly in evaluating its adoption, benefits, and constraints. This study assessed farmers’ perceptions of on-farm tree planting in Akure, Nigeria, through a survey of 100 respondents across four communities. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and field observations and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, and the logit model. Findings revealed that 57% of respondents were male, 62% were self-employed, and 42% had over 25 years of farming experience. Most farmers acquired land through purchase (36%) or inheritance (24%), with 86% practising on-farm tree planting. Timber species dominated, with fewer fruit trees, deviating from common reports. Farmers were primarily motivated by direct benefits such as timber (27%), improved crop productivity (25%), shade, building materials, firewood, fruits, and medicinal uses. Ecosystem services like soil protection, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration also motivated farmers. However, around 60% of farmers noted that tree planting negatively affected farming activities, limiting the practice's broader adoption. Other major challenges were inadequate technical support, lack of credit, limited knowledge, land tenure issues, and tree interactions with crops and animals. Adoption of tree planting was significantly associated with farmers’ age, education level, household size, employment status, land ownership, farming experience, and perceptions. Age, education, and employment status were the most influential factors. Addressing these challenges and enhancing the perceived benefits are crucial for wider adoption and upscaling of on-farm tree planting.

In the face of increasingly hot and dry summers in subtropical climates, which threaten the persistence of cool-season grasses, finding effective strategies to enhance their survival is crucial for sustainable grass-based livestock production systems. We hypothesized that SPS conditions would reduce tiller mortality in grasses that are better adapted to shaded environments. This study evaluated tiller dynamics of two C3 perennial grasses of different shade tolerance (orchardgrass: tolerant, tall fescue: moderately tolerant) and a C3 biannual grass typic of moist environments (Yorkshire fog) in full sunlight and SPS with tree rows-oriented North–South (N–S) and East–West (E–W). Eucalyptus grandis trees significantly altered the understory microclimate, resulting in substantial reductions in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and moderated soil temperatures. Orchardgrass emerged as the species with the highest tiller population density in the understory by the end of the first summer, particularly under N–S, benefiting from enhanced tiller survival and continuous emergence compared to tall fescue and Yorkshire fog. In contrast, tall fescue exhibited lower tiller survival and emergence under tree canopies, despite showing high tiller density in full sunlight. Tall fescue showed a significant relationship between tiller population density and survival with PAR and soil temperature, with minimal impact from soil moisture. Yorkshire fog experienced high tiller mortality across all conditions, with complete loss of tillers in the understory by summer’s end. The results suggest that in subtropical climates, silvopastoral systems can enhance orchardgrass persistence during the summer, by improving summer survival and maintaining population density.

Temperate agroforestry practices offer various ecological, social, and economic benefits. However, data surrounding drivers of adoption for agroforestry in the U.S. remains limited. A survey of Missouri agricultural land managers was conducted to determine the extent of agroforestry adoption in the state, current knowledge and perceptions of agroforestry, and interest in implementing agroforestry practices. A choice experiment model was employed to assess participants’ willingness to accept (WTA) payment for adopting agroforestry practices and to determine land managers’ valuation of technical assistance and environmental benefits. Across the sample, self-reported knowledge of agroforestry practices was minimal to low (33%-78%). Perceptions of agroforestry systems for management and economic aspects were mixed, while promotion of biodiversity and environmental services were especially positive. Using a mixed logit regression model, if cost to establish a given agroforestry system was $2,500 per acre, it was determined that the average Missouri land manager would accept a per acre payment of $8,795 for alley cropping, $1,217 for forest farming, $3,080 for riparian forest buffers, $-3,546 for silvopasture, $11,458 for urban food forests, and $19,154 for windbreaks. WTA payments were lower for existing adopters of agroforestry than non-adopters. Among those who were willing to adopt agroforestry, technical assistance was valued at $1,670 per acre, while environmental benefits were valued at $2,992 per acre. In a second model testing interaction variables, participants with greater knowledge of agroforestry practices or with higher incomes were significantly more willing to adopt agroforestry practices, while participants with larger farms were less likely to adopt agroforestry.

This study investigates the diversity and stability of agroforestry systems (AGSs) across three distinct ecological regions in Iran: the semi-arid Arasbaran, the semi-humid Zagros, and the humid Hyrcanian regions. The research aims to understand how climate impacts species richness and diversity within these systems. Data was collected from 129 farms, where species identification and various quantitative metrics, such as tree diameter and height, were measured. Biodiversity indices including Taxa_S, Shannon_H, and Equitability_J were calculated, and the species distribution was analyzed using parametric models. The results indicate significant differences in species richness and diversity across the three regions. The humid region exhibited the highest diversity, with 22 species from 10 families, whereas the semi-arid region showed the lowest diversity. The Shannon and Taxa_S indices were also significantly higher in the humid region compared to the other two regions, suggesting that the humid climate supports a wider range of species. Conversely, the semi-arid region had the highest average tree volume, possibly due to the dominance of certain species better adapted to the harsh climate. The study also found that the semi-arid and semi-humid regions corresponded to geometric and broken stick models, respectively, indicating different levels of community stability. The findings suggest that AGSs in semi-humid regions are more stable than those in semi-arid regions, likely due to more favorable climatic conditions. This research highlights the importance of considering regional climatic factors in the development and management of AGSs to optimize biodiversity conservation and agricultural productivity.

The objective of this work was to carry out long-term monitoring of protein banks (PB) established under the real-low-input-farm conditions of Burkina Faso, characterized by a Sudano-Sahelian climate type with wide variations in rainfall. The PBs, planted in 2016–2017 with Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Morus alba (MA) at a high density (20,000 plants/ha), were monitored from 2016/2017 to 2021 for their biomass (fodder) production, chemical composition and nutritional value of the edible fodder, and their impacts on soil carbon content. The average annual fodder production of LL for the 6 PBs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) was 11.4 ± 2.12 t DM/ha/year, while that of MA was 3.8 ± 1.2 t DM/ha/year for the 3 PB (1, 2, and 3). Such differences are related to higher adaptive capacity for LL in such climatic conditions. Crude protein was higher in LL (19% versus 17%), but dry matter digestibility (65% versus 77%) was superior in MA. Soil carbon increased during the five monitored years, an exciting result for these poor, low-fertility soil conditions. Our results demonstrate the technical and environmental feasibility of establishing this low-input agroforestry technology in these conditions and inspire the potential of sustainable agriculture as an agroecological alternative to overcoming feed shortages for local livestock farming. However, the successful management of a PB relies on selecting the right suitable species, protecting them, and managing them during the establishment and fodder production periods with suitable cutting frequency and appropriate post-harvest management.

With about 46% of global production, Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s leading producer of cocoa beans. However, this production contributes to deforestation, exacerbating the effects of climate change. In response to this observation, this study aims to deepen knowledge on the contribution of agroforestry systems in cocoa production areas in Côte d’Ivoire to atmospheric carbon storage. These main areas are the Centre-West, South-West, and West. In these areas, floristic richness was determined in 115 plots. Carbon stocks in living biomass, dead matter, and soil were evaluated. The dynamics of carbon stocks with age were also determined. The results revealed that the West area contains the most diversified cocoa agroforests, with 161 species compared to 71 and 119 in the Centre-West and South-West, respectively. Entandrophragma angolense, Nesogordonia papaverifera, and Sterculia oblonga, common to these areas, are on the IUCN Red List. Carbon stock varies by area, its history, the practices present, and especially the associated species. Thus, in the former cocoa production zone (Centre-West) and the current main production zone (South-West), Elaeis guineensis is the main carbon reservoir, with 25.576 tC.ha⁻¹ in the Centre-West and 36.862 tC.ha⁻¹ in the South-West. In the West, local trees form the main carbon reservoir with 11.701 tC.ha⁻¹. The dynamics of total carbon stocks show heterogeneous changes in production areas according to the different stages of development of agroforestry systems. This is evidence of the complexity of carbon flow and the dynamics of cocoa systems, which are strongly influenced by the sociology of the producers.

The diversity of tree species within agroforestry systems (AFS) plays a critical role in enhancing ecosystem services while fostering resilience and adaptability to environmental changes. Though plant diversity in the forests of Western Ghats is widely studied, research on the compositional and phytosociological characteristics of agroforestry systems remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the diversity and distribution of tree species in AFS to guide conservation strategies and sustainable management practices in Kerala’s Western Ghats. A total of 116 quadrates were established randomly and the species richness, stand density, diversity, dominance and other phytosociological attributes were measured. The study recorded 119 tree species with an average stand density of 1099 trees per hectare. The Shannon diversity index indicated relatively high species diversity (3.26), while the Simpson index suggested low dominance (0.08) across the study area. Pielou’s evenness index indicated moderate evenness in species distribution (0.68). Among different types of AFS, coffee-based systems exhibited the highest species richness, followed by cardamom, homegarden, rubber, and tea. Dominant tree species varied across different systems with Artocarpus heterophyllus, Grevillea robusta, Hevea brasiliensis, Mangifera indica and Erythrina variegata being the top species in the AFS in general. This study highlights the importance of conserving and managing the diverse AFS in the highland regions of the Western Ghats, a previously underrepresented area in biodiversity assessments, by demonstrating that variations in species composition underscore the unique characteristics of each system, with phytosociological studies playing a crucial role in conservation planning.

Approximately 22% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) originate from agriculture and livestock. Therefore, finding alternatives to mitigate these emissions is crucial for the sector. GHG emissions and soil parameters were quantified in an exclusive grass system (EGS) and a silvopastoral system (SPS) over one year in southeastern Brazil, utilizing Tithonia diversifolia. Our objective was to assess in both EGS and SPS the microclimate conditions, GHG emissions, emission intensity, inorganic nitrogen, carbon stock, and fractionate soil organic matter. Four grazing cycles were conducted over one experimental year to measure GHG fluxes, including methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), from the soil, employing the static chamber technique linked to a cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) analyzer. Soil samples were collected at the end of the experimental period. Treatments were assigned using a completely randomized design with four replicates. GHGs were expressed in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂eq). The soil temperature in the SPS was 0.6 °C lower than in the EGS (p = 0.024). Soil carbon variables did not show significant differences between systems. Cumulative emissions in CO₂eq were comparable among treatments but varied across cycles (p < 0.001). Emission intensity (mg CO₂eq kg⁻¹ accumulated forage mass) was lower in SPS than in EGS (p = 0.002). The absence of discernible differences in GHG emissions and soil carbon variables between systems may be attributed to the short-term establishment period. The intensification of the pasture system emerges as a crucial factor in achieving climate change mitigation, and the utilization of T. diversifolia in SPS appears as a promising alternative to increase productivity without increasing emissions.

Although integration systems have been used since ancient times in various types of plantations, the adoption of integrated systems and their practices involving cattle and forest species are still considered innovative in the Brazilian agricultural context. In light of this, this study evaluated the growth and production of four forest species in a silvopastoral system, six years after planting in the field. The experiment was installed using a randomized block design with a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, consisting of four forest species (Aspidosperma polyneuron Mull. Arg., Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell., Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss, and Swietenia macrophylla King.) and three spacings (3 × 2 m; 3 × 3 m; 3 × 4 m), with four replications and plots composed of 18 plants, totaling 864 plants. To evaluate the growth and production of the species, total height (Ht), diameter at breast height (DBH), and height of the breast (H) were measured, and the sectional area per plant (g), basal area per hectare (G), volume per plant (Vol/ind), volume per hectare (Vol/ha), and mean annual increment (MAI) were calculated. The results indicated that all variables were influenced by species, while basal area and volume per hectare were affected by spacing. E. cloeziana and K. senegalensis exhibited better growth and productivity at the 3 × 2 spacing compared to A. polyneuron and S. macrophylla. Regarding the survival of the species, K. senegalensis, A. polyneuron, E. cloeziana, and S. macrophylla showed survival rates of over 98%, 55.5%, 70.8%, and 54.1%, respectively, across all tested spacings.