Computer-based tools for decision support in agroforestry: Current state and future needs

Abstract

Successful design of agroforestry practices hinges on the ability to pull together very diverse and sometimes large sets of information (i.e., biophysical, economic and social factors), and then implementing the synthesis of this information across several spatial scales from site to landscape. Agroforestry, by its very nature, creates complex systems with impacts ranging from the site or practice level up to the landscape and beyond. Computer-based Decision Support Tools (DST) help to integrate information to facilitate the decision-making process that directs development, acceptance, adoption, and management aspects in agroforestry. Computer-based DSTs include databases, geographical information systems, models, knowledge-base or expert systems, and 'hybrid' decision support systems. These different DSTs and their applications in agroforestry research and development are described in this paper. Although agroforestry lacks the large research foundation of its agriculture and forestry counterparts, the development and use of computer-based tools in agroforestry have been substantial and are projected to increase as the recognition of the productive and protective (service) roles of these tree-based practices expands. The utility of these and future tools for decision-support in agroforestry must take into account the limits of our current scientific information, the diversity of aspects (i.e. economic, social, and biophysical) that must be incorporated into the planning and design process, and, most importantly, who the end-user of the tools will be. Incorporating these tools into the design and planning process will enhance the capability of agroforestry to simultaneously achieve environmental protection and agricultural production goals.

Land Potentiality Investigation for Agroforestry Purpose using Remote Sensing and GIS

“…A GIS-based database management approaches are used in the past for agroforestry planning and tree selection (Ellis et al, 2000). Successful planning and design of agroforestry management practices link on the ability to pull together very diverse and sometimes large sets of several spatial scales information (Ellis et al, 2004). Such design can be utilized in the decisionmaking process for modeling agroforestry related study at the local, regional and global levels (Ritung et al, 2007;Reisner et al, 2007;Zomer et al, 2014;Ahmad et al, 2018a).…”

Bringing the integrative aspect of sustainable development into community natura l resource management: the case of agricultural land use in limpopo, south africa

“…Involvement of users' needs to be guided by clear objectives and should be aimed at adequately informing the tool under development. Critical up-front questions that need to be addressed as DSTs are being developed include: what the primary purpose of DSTs is; what issues the DSTs will address and who the end-users of the DSTs will be [34]. Using some of these questions to structure the interaction between developers of a tool and the potential users of the tool could improve the quality of information obtained from users.…”

Program design for agroforestry extension in the south-eastern USA

“…This Decision Support System (DSS) component offers computer-based tools that integrate agroforestry principles, through combining GIS with a tree and shrub database, to access sitespecific characteristics, indicate viable practices, and select suitable tree and shrub species. The subtropical tree and shrub database (Ellis et al 2004) contains plant descriptions, and details of ecology and site adaptability of species, management and propagation techniques, and economic and environmental uses of the species. Through this on-line application for tree and shrub selection and evaluation, the DSS is a tool landowners and professionals can use for decision-support during design of agroforestry plans.…”