Agroforestry and grass buffer effects on water quality in grazed pastures

Udawatta, Ranjith P.; Garrett, H. E.; Kallenbach, Robert L.

doi:10.1007/s10457-010-9288-9

Cited by 50 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…On a "paired" watershed study in Missouri, agroforestry and grass buffer strips reduced phosphorus and nitrogen loss from a corn-soybean rotation [88]. The perennial vegetation increases above-ground biomass that slows runoff and can trap as much as 95% of the sediment at risk of being lost [91], while the below-ground roots can take up 80% or more of excess nutrients as well as hosting microbial populations that can break down pesticides [68,90,92].…”

Section: Benefits Of Agroforestrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroforestry—The Next Step in Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture

2016

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Agriculture faces the unprecedented task of feeding a world population of 9 billion people by 2050 while simultaneously avoiding harmful environmental and social effects. One effort to meet this challenge has been organic farming, with outcomes that are generally positive. However, a number of challenges remain. Organic yields lag behind those in conventional agriculture, and greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient leaching remain somewhat problematic. In this paper, we examine current organic and conventional agriculture systems and suggest that agroforestry, which is the intentional combination of trees and shrubs with crops or livestock, could be the next step in sustainable agriculture. By implementing systems that mimic nature's functions, agroforestry has the potential to remain productive while supporting a range of ecosystem services. In this paper, we outline the common practices and products of agroforestry as well as beneficial environmental and social effects. We address barriers to agroforestry and explore potential options to alter policies and increase adoption by farmers. We conclude that agroforestry is one of the best land use strategies to contribute to food security while simultaneously limiting environmental degradation.

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Section: Benefits Of Agroforestrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroforestry—The Next Step in Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture

2016

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“…Agroforestry combined with grass can be used as buffers to improve water quality in a watershed. Udawatta et al (2010) tested two agroforestry buffers, two grass buffers, and two controls (no buffers) on water quality of grazed pastures. They observed that on pasture watersheds, the agroforestry and grass buffers reduced runoff and reduced non-point source pollution compared with the control.…”

Section: Soil Erosion Control and Riparian Buffersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tree legumes: an underexploited resource in warm-climate silvopastures

et al. 2017

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-Tree legumes are an underexploited resource in warm-climate silvopastures. Perceived benefits of tree legumes include provisioning (browse/mast, timber, fuel, human food, natural medicines, and ornamentals), regulating (C sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, soil erosion control and riparian buffers, shade, windbreaks, and habitat for pollinators), supporting (biological N 2 -fixation, nutrient cycling, soil fertility and soil health, photosynthesis, and primary productivity), and cultural ecosystem services. Tree legumes, however, have not been assessed to the same extent as herbaceous legumes. Once tree legumes are established, they are often more persistent than most herbaceous legumes. There are limitations for extended research with tree legume silvopastures, but extensive research has been done in Africa and Australia and recent efforts have been reported in South America. Economic benefits must be demonstrated to land managers to increase adoption. These benefits are apparent in the research and successes already available, but more long-term research, including the livestock component is necessary. Other factors that reduce adoption include paucity of domesticated germplasm, lag in research/technology, challenges of multipurpose trees and management complexity, challenges to mechanization, dangers of invasive weeds, and social and cultural barriers. In the current scenario of climate change and the need to increase food security, tree legumes are a key component for the sustainable intensification of livestock systems in warm-climate regions.Key Words: biological N 2 fixation, ecosystem services, grassland, nutrient cycling, tropical Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia

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“…With conventional agricultural systems, typically less than 50 % of applied N and P is utilized by crops. In consequence, excess fertilizer moves beyond the reach of plants through runoff or leaching to deeper soil layers, contaminating groundwater reserves and decreasing water quality (Udawatta, Garrett, & Kallenbach, 2010). Therefore, agroforestry management practices can be used as a strategy to provide clean water (Shibu, 2009).…”

Section: Uribe Y Petit (2007) Analizaron La Influencia De La Cubiertamentioning

confidence: 99%

Servicios ambientales de los sistemas agroforestales tropicales

Casanova‐Lugo¹,

Ramírez-Avilés²,

Parsons³

et al. 2016

Rev Cha Se Cie For y del Amb

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T he purpose of this review is to discuss the role of agroforestry systems in providing environmental services, including more diverse and sustainable agricultural production, increased carbon stocks and enhanced biodiversity conservation, plus improved soil fertility, methane emission mitigation, and water and air quality. There is evidence that agroforestry systems have an important role in providing environmental services, as approximately 20 % of the world's population, primarily in rural and urban areas of developing countries, depends directly on agroforestry products. The adoption of agroforestry contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide and methane), diminishes the pressure on vulnerable ecosystems, and improves the livelihoods of rural communities.Resumen E l propósito de esta revisión es discutir el papel de los sistemas agroforestales en la prestación de servicios ambientales, incluyendo producción agrícola más diversificada y sostenible, aumento de reservas de carbono, conservación de la biodiversidad, mejora de la fertilidad del suelo, mitigación de emisiones de metano y calidad del agua y aire. Existe evidencia de que los sistemas agroforestales juegan un papel importante en la prestación de servicios ambientales, ya que aproximadamente 20 % de la población mundial, sobre todo las zonas rurales y urbanas de los países en desarrollo, depende directamente de los productos agroforestales. La adopción de sistemas agroforestales contribuye a reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (dióxido de carbono y metano), disminuye la presión sobre los ecosistemas vulnerables y mejora las condiciones de vida de las comunidades rurales. Palabras clave:Biodiversidad, captura de carbono, emisiones de metano, fertilidad del suelo, conservación del agua.

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Agroforestry and grass buffer effects on water quality in grazed pastures

Cited by 50 publications

References 20 publications

Agroforestry—The Next Step in Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture

Agroforestry—The Next Step in Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture

Tree legumes: an underexploited resource in warm-climate silvopastures

Servicios ambientales de los sistemas agroforestales tropicales

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