South Asian Agroforestry: Traditions, Transformations, and Prospects

Kumar, B. Mohan; Singh, Anil Kumar; Dhyani, S. K.

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4676-3_19

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…India is also home to an array of agroforestry systems, e.g., tropical homegardens. Indeed, the South Asia region is often regarded as the "cradle of agroforestry" [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Experiments for Evaluating the Effects of Trees, Increasing Temperature, and Soil Texture on Carbon Stocks in Agroforestry Systems in Kerala, India

Russell

Kumar

2019

Forests

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Research Highlights: Agroforestry systems in the humid tropics have the potential for high rates of production and large accumulations of carbon in plant biomass and soils and, thus, may play an important role in the global C cycle. Multiple factors can influence C sequestration, making it difficult to discern the effect of a single factor. We used a modeling approach to evaluate the relative effects of individual factors on C stocks in three agricultural systems in Kerala, India. Background and Objectives: Factors such as plant growth form, management, climate warming, and soil texture can drive differences in C storage among cropping systems, but the relationships among these factors and their effects are complex. Our objective was to use CENTURY, a process-based model of plant–soil nutrient cycling, in an experimental mode to evaluate the effects of individual factors on C stocks in soil and biomass in monocultures (annuals or trees) and agroforestry systems. Materials and Methods: We parameterized the model for this region, then conducted simulations to investigate the effects on C stocks of four experimental scenarios: (1) change in growth form; (2) change in tree species; (3) increase in temperature above 20-year means; and (4) differences in soil texture. We compared the models with measured changes in soil C after eight years. Results: Simulated soil C stocks were influenced by all factors: growth form; lignin in tree tissues; increasing temperature; and soil texture. However, increasing temperature and soil sand content had relatively small effects on biomass C. Conclusions: Inclusion of trees with traits that promoted C sequestration such as lignin content, along with the use of best management practices, resulted in the greatest C storage among the simulated agricultural systems. Greater use and better management of trees with high C-storage potential can thus provide a low-cost means for mitigation of climate warming.

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“…India is also home to an array of agroforestry systems, e.g., tropical homegardens. Indeed, the South Asia region is often regarded as the "cradle of agroforestry" [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Experiments for Evaluating the Effects of Trees, Increasing Temperature, and Soil Texture on Carbon Stocks in Agroforestry Systems in Kerala, India

Russell

Kumar

2019

Forests

Self Cite

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“…Productivity of the arid and semi arid region is about two times less as compared to humid and sub humid region therefore, enhancing income in the low rainfall region can be realized by cultivating different crops with fruit plants and forest trees in agri-silvi-horticultural system (Kumar et al, 2012). However, in most of the regions, people are reluctant to adopt agroforestry because of lesser short term benefits from silvicultural species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Eucalyptus Based Agri-Silvi-Horticultural System on Growth and Yield of Wheat in North-Western Region of Haryana, India

Johar¹,

Dhillon²,

Bangarwa³

et al. 2017

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci

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“…Multifunctional land-use systems are often presented as a remedy to intensify production, improve livelihoods and sustain more resilient ecosystems. Hence, policy makers and scientists now promote these land-use systems as an attractive alternative to intensive farming and commercial forestry practices (e.g., Kumar et al 2012;Bustamante et al 2014;van Noordwijk et al 2014;Santika et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is good about Sri Lankan homegardens with regards to food security? A synthesis of the current scientific knowledge of a multifunctional land-use system

2017

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Recently, there has been growing interest in agroforestry systems due to their great potential to mitigate threats to household food and nutrition security from soaring food prices but also as carbon sinks. In Sri Lanka, smallholder farms such as homegardens constitute a majority of Sri Lanka's total annual crop and timber production. Despite Sri Lankan homegardens being considered desirable and sustainable land-use systems, their role in food and nutrition security is not yet entirely understood. By synthesising scientific articles and grey literature we sought the link between food security and homegardens by quantifying their products or services and ascertaining whether food security characteristics are assessed as direct or indirect impacts. The results show that 27 % of 92 identified articles directly quantified aspects that are relevant to food security. Another 51 % of the articles quantified indirect aspects that have relevance for food security, including climate, soil, ecosystem services, structural and floristic diversity and economic aspects. Twenty-two percent of the articles were categorised as being qualitative or conceptual and contained no direct assessments or quantification of food security. The presence of significant merits from homegardens includes providing food security throughout the year at low-cost while sustaining numerous ecosystem services. This benefits particularly the poor farmers. However, many studies are descriptive and only provide location-specific information on single research focuses such as plant species, yield and management. There are few comparisons with crop land, forests or other production systems, and there is even less empirical evidence and quantification of the food security and other benefits. Seven areas where more scientific focus would be beneficial are identified. Homegardens are strong in national policies and to reach a greater level of efficiency within these activities our findings suggest more emphasis on a higher degree of inclusiveness of relevant stakeholders and long-term engagements with context specific guidance.

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South Asian Agroforestry: Traditions, Transformations, and Prospects

Cited by 25 publications

References 55 publications

Modeling Experiments for Evaluating the Effects of Trees, Increasing Temperature, and Soil Texture on Carbon Stocks in Agroforestry Systems in Kerala, India

Modeling Experiments for Evaluating the Effects of Trees, Increasing Temperature, and Soil Texture on Carbon Stocks in Agroforestry Systems in Kerala, India

Effect of Eucalyptus Based Agri-Silvi-Horticultural System on Growth and Yield of Wheat in North-Western Region of Haryana, India

What is good about Sri Lankan homegardens with regards to food security? A synthesis of the current scientific knowledge of a multifunctional land-use system

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