Agroforestry Systems最新文献

Due to their heterogeneous landscape structure, extensively managed temperate silvopastoral systems provide multiple ecosystem services such as climate-resilient livestock production and carbon sequestration. Main habitat types within these landscapes (open pastures, solitary trees, shrubby patches, and adjacent second-growth forests) form an interconnected dynamic network with state transitions driven by secondary succession (towards woody states) and disturbance (towards open states), and the balance between the drivers is key to preserve their exceptionally rich herbaceous flora. To understand how soil seed bank may contribute to the dynamics of the herb layer in silvopastoral systems, we assessed its composition and richness in the above-mentioned habitats and compared these to the herb layer using non-metric multidimensional scaling, generalized linear mixed-effects models and indicator species analyses. We found that each habitat showed distinct compositional patterns, explained by strong environmental filters. Conversely, soil seed bank was more similar among habitats due to legacy seeds from previous vegetation states. This ecological memory in a particular location may assist future compositional transitions of the herb layer by reducing dispersal limitation and can be a useful asset in ecosystem restoration. Furthermore, our study showed that solitary trees with grassy or shrubby undergrowth have key roles in the herb layer dynamics of silvopastoral systems by being the main locations of soil seed bank build-up and transitional hotspots of herb layer diversity during early forest succession. Therefore, conservation strategies should pay extra attention to these small but important landscape features.

Climate change poses severe challenges to agriculture and forestry in Pakistan; a country uniquely vulnerable due to its arid climate, rapid urbanization, population expansion and limited forest cover. This review investigates the connections between climatic variability and agroforestry adoption, identifying both ecological stressors and sociocultural factors influencing land-use decisions. Rising greenhouse gas emissions, frequent extreme weather events and declining precipitation levels are contributing to reduced agricultural productivity and forest degradation. Long-term data analysis reveals that critical plantation periods now coincide with unprecedented temperature spikes, adversely affecting both crop and tree growth. In this context, agroforestry emerges as a viable strategy to mitigate climate-induced risks, enhance food security and stabilize rural livelihoods. However, despite its potential, Pakistan’s agroforestry adoption rates remain low. This is primarily due to inadequate policy support, limited farmer awareness and institutional inertia. To address these challenges, the study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to evaluate the behavioral, normative and control beliefs that influence farmers' willingness to adopt agroforestry practices. The findings suggest that strengthening participatory extension systems, improving access to climate-resilient tree species and addressing farmers’ socioeconomic concerns can significantly boost adoption rates. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for an integrated agro-ecological framework that aligns climate adaptation goals with local development priorities. Enhanced agroforestry adoption could play a transformative role in restoring degraded landscapes and supporting Pakistan’s national commitments to sustainable development and climate resilience.

Our objective was to collect information on algarrobo and parota pods from producers through surveys and to estimate pod production and dasometric variables of the trees, and on pods, to perform chemical analysis (dry matter, DM; crude protein, CP; and neutral detergent fiber, NDF), evaluate in vitro (biogas and methane production, DM degradation, DMDiv; CP, CPDiv; and NDF, NDFDiv at 72 h), determine in situ DM digestibility (DMDis, CPDis, and NDF, NDFDis at 72 h) and test nematicidal activity of organic extracts at different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg mL⁻¹). Ninety-five percent of 42 respondents mentioned algarrobo and parota trees as living fence, shade and food trees; 86% allow their cattle to consume the pods on their own. Algarrobo trees produced 1.28 times more pods than parota trees. Dry matter, NDF, NDFDiv, DMDis, CPDis and NDFDis contents were higher in parota pods, while biogas production was higher for algarrobo pods (p < 0.05). Crude protein content, methane production, DMDiv, and CPDiv were not different between pod types (p > 0.05). Different concentrations of the organic extract of parota pods did not cause differences in mortality. In contrast, the organic extract of algarrobo caused the highest mortality at a concentration of 10 and 20 mg mL⁻¹. The results of this study obtained through the chemical analysis and in vitro and in situ tests production complement the empirical information from the producers on algarrobo and parotta pods as an alternative for inclusion in the strategic planning of ruminant feeding.

Cola nitida (Vent.) is an essential multi-purpose tree in most West and Central African countries. In Benin, it is threatened with extinction due to overexploitation and climate change. This study was carried out to contribute to the development of appropriate management strategies. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the impacts of socio-cultural, socio-demographic, and socio-economic factors on the local communities’ decision to conserve and cultivate C. nitida in Benin. Semi-structured surveys were carried out with 518 respondents in the Guinean-Congolese zone of Benin, where it mostly occurs. In addition to the respondent's characteristics, data were collected on the number of C. nitida trees owned, the species' use value, and the informant’s technical knowledge on the species' cultivation. Generalized linear models and piecewise Structural Equation Modeling (pSEM) were used to identify the main factors associated with the use value, the decision to conserve, and to cultivate C. nitida. The results indicated a positive relationship between the technical knowledge of the species production and C. nitida use value, indicating that higher technical knowledge is held by people who use more the species. Furthermore, respondents’ age, gender, geographical location, and the species' use value were the main factors associated with the decision to conserve the species. The decision to cultivate the species is rather associated with the species' use value, the income generated from its exploitation, and the respondent's religion. Actions on gender equality and customized to sociocultural contexts are needed to ensure the sustainable management of the species in Benin.

Piliostigma reticulatum is widely distributed in the Sahel and plays an important role in the livelihoods of local communities. Its uses include livestock feeding and soil management. However, anthropogenic pressure and adverse climatic factors have led to significant variability and a decline in the species’ density, impairing its potential for soil management.,. To ensure the sustainable soil management determining the optimal planting density of P. reticulatum is essential.. This study employed a completely randomized Fisher block design with four shrub densities (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 shrubs·ha⁻¹) in a sorghum-cowpea mixed cropping system. The management method applied to the shrubs was coppicing. The parameters evaluated included shrub aboveground biomass (AGB), soil chemical characteristics and crop productivity (grain, straw, and tops). The results showed that the densities of 1000 and 2000 shrubs ha⁻¹ increased AGB production by 59% and 64%, respectively compared to 500 shrubs.ha⁻¹. The 2000 shrubs ha⁻¹ density enhanced soil organic status with higher levels of organic matter and total nitrogen. Sorghum grain yield increased by 127% and cowpea yield by 56% at 1000 and 2000 shrubs·ha⁻¹, respectively, compared to the control (0 shrubs·ha⁻¹). A density of 2000 shrubs·ha⁻¹ is optimal for sustainable sorghum–cowpea mixed cropping system wtihin Sahelian agroforestry parklands.

The Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, exemplifies sustainable human–nature coexistence through the indigenous practices of ethnic minorities, particularly the Blang, who venerate the Tea Ancestor (Pa Ai Leng). This cultural keystone integrates spiritual beliefs with ecological stewardship, preserving ancient tea forests and sacred village trees that sustain biodiversity, enhance carbon sequestration, and foster cultural continuity. These traditions face mounting threats from tourism-induced soil compaction, climate-driven pest increases, and cultural erosion due to modernization. This Perspectives Paper explores how indigenous knowledge safeguards Jingmai’s tea forests and village trees, analyzes their ecological and cultural contributions, and proposes integrated conservation strategies—blending eco-cultural tourism, environmental education, scientific monitoring, and community-driven economic initiatives—to address these challenges. Jingmai’s model highlights the global relevance of indigenous wisdom in sustaining intertwined natural and cultural heritage.

Integrating native tree species with cash crops supported by suitable cultural practices can add to the sustainability of the systems in terms of production, resource utilization and conservation. The experiment was conducted to study the growth and yield of Pisum sativum L. along with soil physico-chemical properties as influenced by pea varieties, Pusa pragati and JK124 Hybrid, and fertilization treatments comprising recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), goat manure and farm yard manure (FYM) in wild pomegranate based agroforestry system. Pusa pragati was found superior to JK124 Hybrid in term of the growth and yield parameters such as plant height, days to first flower, pod length, days to marketable maturity, number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and yield ha⁻¹ performance. However, no significant effect of crop variety was recorded on soil properties except bulk density (BD). Among different fertilization treatments, RDF resulted in better crop growth in terms of lesser days to first flower (62.83) and higher pods per plant (18.40), pod length (7.70 cm), 100 seed weight (28.97 g) and yield (51.80 q ha⁻¹) of the crop. Soil properties such as bulk density, pH, EC and available nitrogen, were found to be significantly affected by fertilization. Goat manure reduced bulk density (1.15 g cm⁻³) and pH (7.03) while increased EC (0.52 dS m⁻¹) and available nitrogen (351.23 kg ha⁻¹), thereby improving the physico-chemical properties significantly. Interaction of variety with fertilization only affected yield parameters such as pods per plant, pod length and yield ha⁻¹ significantly with Pusa pragati giving best results when supplemented with RDF. Economically Pusa pragati supplemented with RDF was found to be the most viable combination. For mid-hill conditions of the fragile Himalayas wild pomegranate based agroforestry can be a suitable bio-economic model with improved productivity, profitability and sustainability.

Agroforestry is an innovative land-use that may increase the land profitability. Photosynthesis is the primary mechanism for biomass accumulation that is ultimately converted into plant yield. We investigated the yield and photosynthesis efficiency of apple trees and watermelons in both intercropping and monocropping systems by documenting yields, photosynthesis variables, growth indexes and economic profitability. The results showed that the final growth indexes of intercropped apples was higher than those of the monocroping orchard. On the contrary, due to the shading effect of high fruit trees on low crops, the growth of watermelon was inhibited, and the yield of intercropped watermelon was reduced compared to the monocrop. The net photosynthesis rate (Pn) of both apples and watermelons showed a diurnal bimodal pattern, and reached peak values between 10:00 and 12:00 and 14:00–16:00. The diurnal variation of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) exhibits a unimodal pattern, with the peak PAR incident on apple trees (both intercropped and sole-cropped systems) occurring between 12:00 and 14:00, whereas watermelon plants (both intercropped and sole-cropped systems) peak PAR interception between 10:00 and 12:00. Intercropped apple trees and sole-cropped watermelon displayed higher Pn and PAR. The diurnal variation of stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) of both apple and watermelon first increased and then decreased in an inverted V pattern, the diurnal variation trend of intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) showed a V pattern. Gs, Tr, and Ci were higher in intercropped apple trees than in sole-cropped apple trees, whereas these parameters were lower in intercropped watermelons compared to their sole-cropped watermelons. The yield of intercropped apples increased by 30.1%, and the intercropping income equivalent was higher than that of the monocropping system due to the higher price of apples. In the apple trees-watermelon intercropping system, the total income was 3.46 × 10⁴ yuan/hm²,while the income of the single apple model was 1.46 × 10⁴yuan/hm²,The Land Equivalent Ratio(LER) and the Income Equivalent ratio(IER) of the intercropping system were 2.50 and 2.37 respectively.

Agroforestry Systems are gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture, yet there is a lack of practical methods to guide their design by integrating ex-ante participatory ecosystem services (ESs) assessment. This study addresses this gap through participatory action research in Northern Italy, aiming to co-design an innovative agroforestry system by comparing three distinct scenarios: a Successional Agroforestry System (i.e. a multilayered, evolutive agroforestry system based on biomimicry), a traditional mixed orchard, and a conventional hazelnut orchard. The research employed a mixed-method approach, engaging twelve stakeholders, including farmers, technicians, and residents, in a series of participatory workshops. Instrumental ESs, such as carbon sequestration and air pollutant removal, were quantified over a 30-year period using the i-Tree software. Intrinsic ESs, including biodiversity and cultural heritage, were assessed through an expert-based participatory process inspired by the Matrix Model Methodology. The results revealed a clear trade-off. The traditional mixed orchard demonstrated the highest provision of instrumental ES. However, the participatory evaluation highlighted the superior performance of the SAFS (Successional Agroforestry System) in delivering intrinsic and cultural ES, which is better aligned with the long-term ecological and educational objectives of the farm. Consequently, the stakeholders selected the SAFS for implementation.mail id This study demonstrates that integrating quantitative modeling with participatory assessment of intrinsic values provides a robust framework for designing sustainable agroforestry systems that reflect the holistic goals of landowners and local communities. This approach offers a replicable model for evidence-based, collaborative design of multifunctional agricultural landscapes.

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) can significantly influence microclimatic conditions, forage characteristics, and animal welfare and performance, effects that are probably related to tree age and density. To study the impact of tree density (Eucalyptus grandis) on these variables during the summer, 29 cow-calf pairs (Brangus and their crossbreeds with British breeds) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments: (1) Full sun (0 trees/ha), (2) Low density (160 trees/ha), (3) High density (240 trees/ha), replicated in 3 blocks (9 plots). The experiment was carried out in Cerro Largo, Uruguay. Animals grazed native grasslands dominated by warm-season grasses. Grazing intensity was managed through sward height at 7–10 cm in all treatments. The Black Globe Temperature Humidity Index was lower under the trees in both SPS (86 ± 0.4) compared to the alley (88 ± 0.4) and full sun (88 ± 0.4), but lowest in the alley of high (75 ± 1.4) than low (84 ± 1.4) tree density SPS at 10:00 (P < 0.05). Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission was lower under the trees (86%) than in the alley of the high tree density (96%) and full sun (100%; P < 0.05). However, forage allowance (4–5 kgDM/kg live weight), its chemical composition (crude protein: 7–8%; neutral detergent fibre: 65–66%; acid detergent fibre: 34–35%) and calves’ weaning weights (171–178 kg) were similar between treatments (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the incorporation of trees to native grasslands in SPS of 160 and 240 trees/ha, promoted mild changes in thermal comfort and PAR transmission two years after planting, without affecting forage quality and cow-calf performance.