Agroforestry—The Next Step in Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture

Abstract

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.

Exploring the potential of edible forest gardens: experiences from a participatory action research project in Sweden

“…Meta-analyses from temperate areas present compelling evidence that an increase in the complexity in the agricultural landscape through agroforestry systems delivers more supporting and regulating ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, maintenance of biodiversity, water quality, nutrient recycling, soil fertility and erosion, than conventional land use (Tsonkova et al 2012;Kim et al 2016;Torralba et al 2016;Wilson and Lovell 2016).…”

“…Agroforestry may be a feasible option. Current research shows that such systems are both productive and generate more ecosystem services than conventional land use in tropical and temperate areas (Pretty et al 2006;Jose 2009;Torralba et al 2016;Wilson and Lovell 2016).…”

Composição Florística E Usos Múltiplos De Arbóreas Em Sistemas Agroflorestais Em Rondônia

“…Entre estas opções, os sistemas agroflorestais (SAF) têm sido muito utilizados como opção para exploração agropecuária, aumentando a diversificação de produtos e possibilitando a manutenção de processos ecossistêmicos (VIEIRA et al, 2007;JOSÉ, 2009;WILSON;LOVELL, 2016). Nestes sistemas, é obrigatório o uso de plantas arbóreas e/ou arbustivas em conjunto com espécies agrícolas e forrageiras com ou sem a presença animal (SANCHEZ, 1995;ABDO et al, 2008).…”

“…Neste sentido, estes sistemas oferecem diversificação de produtos, benefícios e serviços ambientais, resultados da incorporação de um conjunto de técnicas de base agroecológica (VIEIRA et al, 2009;WILSON;LOVELL, 2016).…”

“…Neste sentido, considerando as unidades de produção familiar, destaca-se o potencial de usos múltiplos que o agroecossistema ou que determinadas espécies botânicas assumem, resultando em benefícios, produtos e serviços tangíveis e intangíveis (JERNECK; OLSSON, 2013;WILSON;LOVELL, 2016).…”