Soil degradation is a global concern, decreasing the soil’s ability to perform a multitude of functions. In Europe, one of the leading causes of soil degradation is unsustainable agricultural practices. Hence, there is a need to explore alternative production systems for enhanced agronomic productivity and environmental performance, such as agroforestry systems (AFS). Given this, the objective of the study is to enumerate the major benefits and challenges in the adoption of AFS. AFS can improve agronomic productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, soil biodiversity, water retention, and pollination. Furthermore, they can reduce soil erosion and incidence of fire and provide recreational and cultural benefits. There are several challenges to the adoption and uptake of AFS in Europe, including high costs for implementation, lack of financial incentives, limited AFS product marketing, lack of education, awareness, and field demonstrations. Policies for financial incentives such as subsidies and payments for ecosystem services provided by AFS must be introduced or amended. Awareness of AFS products must be increased for consumers through appropriate marketing strategies, and landowners need more opportunities for education on how to successfully manage diverse, economically viable AFS. Finally, field-based evidence is required for informed decision-making by farmers, advisory services, and policy-making bodies.

Plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have co-evolved over a period of at least 450 million years. This fungal-plant association involves the transfer of carbon to the obligate biotropic fungus, in return for a wide range of beneficial functions. Although this is usually a mutualistic relationship, it can become parasitic to the plant under adverse conditions. Here, the research examining mechanisms by which mycorrhizal associations improve plant fitness is reviewed. Although there is strong evidence that a number of beneficial functions are performed by mycorrhizae, the mechanisms behind these are often not clear. There are numerous factors which influence these mechanisms and their outcomes, one or more of which can be affecting the association simultaneously. The knowledge we have on arbusular mycorrhizal associations with plants could be applied to various land management practices in order to improve soil degradation brought about by anthropogenic activities. These include erosion, drought, nutrient stress and salinization, and are often a result of poor land management. In order to use mycorrhizal fungi as a biomanagement tool, more research is required, particularly in mature field communities over long timescales. There is a need to invest in the development of sustainable agroecological management methods and to design future policy and legislation that encourages large organizations to incorporate more sustainable practices whilst protecting small-scale farmers.