Agroforestry for ecosystem services and environmental benefits: an overview

Abstract

Agroforestry systems are believed to provide a number of ecosystem services; however, until recently evidence in the agroforestry literature supporting these perceived benefits has been lacking. This special issue brings together a series of papers from around the globe to address recent findings on the ecosystem services and environmental benefits provided by agroforestry. As prelude to the special issue, this paper examines four major ecosystem services and environmental benefits of agroforestry:(1) carbon sequestration, (2) biodiversity conservation, (3) soil enrichment and (4) air and water quality. Past and present evidence clearly indicates that agroforestry, as part of a multifunctional working landscape, can be a viable land-use option that, in addition to alleviating poverty, offers a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits. This realization should help promote agroforestry and its role as an integral part of a multifunctional working landscape the world over.

Servicios ambientales de los sistemas agroforestales tropicales

“…A wide range of studies (Albrecht & Kandji, 2003;Ibrahim et al, 2005;Montagnini et al, 2015;Nair et al, 2009;Palm et al, 2005;Schroth et al, 2004;Shibu, 2009) support the concept that AFS is a unique opportunity to increase carbon reserves in the terrestrial biosphere, 2001; Harvey & González-Villalobos, 2007;Montagnini, 2006;Montagnini et al, 2015;Nair et al, 2008;Nair, Kumar, & Nair, 2009;Palm et al, 2005;Pandey, 2002;Schroth & Sinclair, 2003;Schroth et al, 2004). Además, Shibu (2009) reconoció que dichos servicios ambientales varían a distintos niveles espaciales (local, regional o global) (Cuadro 1).…”

“…Evidence supporting these benefits has been gathered only recently (Shibu, 2009). Although scientific reports supporting these benefits have increased noticeably within the last decade, they have generally focused on single agroforestry ecosystem services, for instance, impacts on biodiversity conservation in tropical landscapes (Schroth et al, 2004), soil fertility (Schroth & Sinclair, 2003) or potential carbon sequestration (Montagnini, 2006;Montagnini, Somarriba, Murgueitio, Fassola, & Eibl, 2015).…”

“…Agroforestry management favors farming diversification through maximizing vegetation stratum use; moreover, they provide basic products, and economic and environmental benefits from a multifunctional landscape (Shibu, 2009). Many AFS management techniques are practiced worldwide, but they are most commonly applied in the tropics; approximately 20 % of the world's population depends directly on agroforestry products and services (Pandey, 2002).…”

“…La evidencia que respalda estos beneficios se ha recopilado recientemente (Shibu, 2009). Aunque los informes científicos que respaldan estos beneficios han aumentado notablemente en la última década, se han centrado en un solo servicio ambiental agroforestal; por ejemplo, impactos en la conservación de la biodiversidad en paisajes tropicales (Schroth et al, 2004), fertilidad del suelo (Schroth & Sinclair, 2003) o potencial de secuestro de carbono (Montagnini, 2006;Montagnini, Somarriba, Murgueitio, Fassola, & Eibl, 2015).…”

“…El manejo forestal favorece la diversificación de la agricultura al maximizar el uso de la vegetación de estrato; además, proporciona productos básicos y beneficios económicos y ambientales de un paisaje multifuncional (Shibu, 2009). En el mundo se practican muchas formas de manejo de SAF, pero se aplican con mayor frecuencia en los trópicos; aproximadamente 20 % de la población mundial depende directamente de productos y servicios agroforestales (Pandey, 2002).…”