Potential and Opportunities of Agroforestry Practices in Combating Land Degradation

Abstract

Agroforestry an established practice for centuries is the deliberate combination of perennials with food crops and/or livestock either simultaneously or sequentially. Agroforestry systems are bio-diverse and are associated in numerous ways for combating desertification and mitigating climate change. Agroforestry practice is a possible way of reducing deforestation and forest degradation and can alleviate resource-use pressure on natural conservation areas. Among many other reasons responsible for climate change, our traditional approaches towards forest management have failed thereby giving way to a drastic climate change, which slowly but has indeed harbingered the cataclysmic future that awaits us if we do not act now. This paper thus acquaints the readers with the role of agroforestry in mitigating the soil erosion, rehabilitation of degraded lands, improving water conservation and replenishment of soil fertility. Besides, the role of agroforestry in improving the soil health and overall ecosystem has also been discussed. This paper furthermore, attempts to recognize the role that agroforestry can play in mitigating the repercussions of climate change apart from improving natural resource sustainability and future food security issues.

Agroecology and Permaculture: Food Security, Post-War Recovery, Zero Pollution, Sustainable Development

“…Листя рослин здатне захистити ґрунт від ударів дощових крапель i впливу краплинної ерозії. Також воно здатне затримати значну частку опадів, які не досягають землі та, як результат, не беруть участі в утворені поверхневого стоку (Tomar et al, 2021).…”

“…Майже половина внесених з мінеральними добривами поживних речовин вимивається з ґрунту та забруднює ґрунтові води. В агролісівництві дерева з глибоким корінням поглинають надлишок поживних речовин, що вносяться на поле, діючи як фільтр та знижують забруднення ґрунтових вод (Tomar et al, 2021). Системи агролісівництва та, зокрема, алейне землеробство, були визначені як засіб, за допомогою якого можна зменшити забруднення підземних та поверхневих вод нітрогеном порівняно с індустріальними техніками сільськогосподарського виробництва (Jose et al, 2004;Palma et al, 2007).…”

Harnessing Indigenous Technologies for Sustainable Management of Land, Water, and Food Resources Amidst Climate Change

“…Agroforestry systems function as atmospheric carbon sinks. When compared to agricultural plants or pasturelands, agroforestry systems trap more carbon in the atmosphere (Tomar et al, 2021). The capability of Agroforestry systems to sequester carbon is affected by various factors including age and tree species, geographical location, environmental factors, management practises, and agro-ecosystems type (Jose, 2009).…”

The Potential of Cardamom Leaf in the Agroforestry System: Essential Oil Yield and 1.8-CINEOL Content

“…Forest damage and land degradation directly impact the people living in these villages. Agroforestry becomes a land management system that can potentially reduce deforestation and soil degradation while ensuring food security and overcoming food crisis problems (Tomar et al, 2021). Furthermore, it provides environmental services and has good prospects for supporting sustainable food production (Rosso, Cantamessa, Chiarabaglio & Coaloa, 2021;Octavia et al, 2022;Bishaw, Soolanayakanahally, Karki & Hagan, 2022).…”