Willows rapidly affect microclimatic conditions and forage yield in two temperate short-rotation agroforestry systems

Rivest, David; Martin‐Guay, Marc‐Olivier; Cossette, Claire

doi:10.1007/s10457-022-00758-3

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The wind speed reduction was greatest (5 m) adjacent to the willow strips (50% in alley cropping and 58% in the windbreak systems) I, moderate at 20 m, and negligible at 50 m from the windbreak system. In comparison to the control plots, a considerable increase in the midday air temperature of about 1 °C, a 44% increase in fodder yield, and increased soil moisture were seen close to the willow strips in a windbreak system in Canada [45]. Soil and microclimate improvements due to the introduction of trees in farms are depicted in Table 1.…”

Section: Soil Improvements and Microclimate Amelioration Through Agro...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroforestry Systems for Soil Health Improvement and Maintenance

et al. 2022

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Agroforestry integrates woody perennials with arable crops, livestock, or fodder in the same piece of land, promoting the more efficient utilization of resources as compared to monocropping via the structural and functional diversification of components. This integration of trees provides various soil-related ecological services such as fertility enhancements and improvements in soil physical, biological, and chemical properties, along with food, wood, and fodder. By providing a particular habitat, refugia for epigenic organisms, microclimate heterogeneity, buffering action, soil moisture, and humidity, agroforestry can enhance biodiversity more than monocropping. Various studies confirmed the internal restoration potential of agroforestry. Agroforestry reduces runoff, intercepts rainfall, and binds soil particles together, helping in erosion control. This trade-off between various non-cash ecological services and crop production is not a serious constraint in the integration of trees on the farmland and also provides other important co-benefits for practitioners. Tree-based systems increase livelihoods, yields, and resilience in agriculture, thereby ensuring nutrition and food security. Agroforestry can be a cost-effective and climate-smart farming practice, which will help to cope with the climate-related extremities of dryland areas cultivated by smallholders through diversifying food, improving and protecting soil, and reducing wind erosion. This review highlighted the role of agroforestry in soil improvements, microclimate amelioration, and improvements in productivity through agroforestry, particularly in semi-arid and degraded areas under careful consideration of management practices.

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Section: Soil Improvements and Microclimate Amelioration Through Agro...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroforestry Systems for Soil Health Improvement and Maintenance

et al. 2022

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Section: Adaptation and Resilience‐building Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Agroforestry systems are often suggested as an adaptation strategy to climate change in ruminant‐based farming systems (Ghahramani et al., 2019; Rivest et al., 2022; Rojas‐Downing et al., 2017). Both tree‐based alley‐cropping systems and windbreaks have been investigated for their effect on perennial forage crops in North America (Carrier et al., 2019; McGraw et al., 2008; Rivest et al., 2022). Trees have been found to alter micro‐climate conditions in‐between rows by reducing wind speed, increasing air humidity and temperature, decreasing evapotranspiration, and increasing soil snow cover (Carrier et al., 2019; Rivest et al., 2022), conditions that could partially mitigate expected effects of climate change on forage production.…”

Section: Adaptation and Resilience‐building Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alfalfa‐based forage mixtures under cold and humid conditions of northeastern North America were found to be more tolerant than annual crops to light and moisture competition (Carrier et al., 2019; Rivest et al., 2022), which makes them particularly suitable for agroforestry systems. Indeed, many perennial forage species were found to be tolerant to moderate shade (45% of full sun) in artificial shading experiments (e.g., timothy, alfalfa, smooth bromegrass, Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), orchardgrass; Pang et al., 2017).…”

Section: Adaptation and Resilience‐building Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, many perennial forage species were found to be tolerant to moderate shade (45% of full sun) in artificial shading experiments (e.g., timothy, alfalfa, smooth bromegrass, Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), orchardgrass; Pang et al., 2017). Moreover, it was demonstrated in eastern Canada and in the United States that most perennial species do not suffer from competition, provided that the tree rows are widely spaced (25 to 90 m apart, Carrier et al., 2019; 24 m apart, McGraw et al., 2008; 40 m apart, Rivest et al., 2022). These widely spaced tree rows contributed to increased (Rivest et al., 2022) or similar forage yields of alfalfa or alfalfa‐based mixtures (Carrier et al., 2019; McGraw et al., 2008) when compared to open plots without trees.…”

Section: Adaptation and Resilience‐building Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perennial forages in cold‐humid areas: Adaptation and resilience‐building strategies toward climate change

et al. 2023

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In the continental cold and humid areas of northeastern North America, climate change by mid‐century may increase the yield potential of perennial forage species as a result of increased temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration, and a longer growing season compared to the 1990−2000 period. More winter thaws and less snow cover along with more summer drought events, however, may reduce winter survival and summer regrowth, thus potentially reducing the persistence of perennial forages over time. Based on nearly two decades of research on the effects of climate change on forages in cold and humid areas of northeastern North America, through field experiments and modeling, we summarize in this review the expected effects of climate change on forage production in terms of yield, nutritive value, and winter survival. We also propose a set of 12 adaptation and resilience‐building strategies for forage systems that can be implemented at the field and farm levels. Research priorities for the future, including the improvement of species, forage management practices, and modeling tools, are also identified. Implementing strategies to alleviate or take advantage of the effects of a changing climate may improve productivity and resilience of well‐adapted forage systems in cold and humid areas.

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Five years of grassland yield and quality assessment in a temperate short-rotation alley cropping agroforestry system

Langhof,

Swieter

2024

Agroforest Syst

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The biomass yield and the crude protein (CP) content of temperate agroforestry-grassland were compared with that of a treeless control between 2017 and 2021. The single factor cropping system did not determine differences in yield nor CP content, while significant interactions with other studied factors occurred. At 1 m from the field edge, grassland yield was significantly lower in both the agroforestry system and the treeless control than at the other distances studied (4, 7, and 24 m). Overall, grassland yields were similar in agroforestry and control. The CP results were inconclusive. The highest, although not significant, CP levels were found in the agroforestry variant 1 m distance from the tree strip. Our study shows that due to edge effects on biomass yields, which may also occur in the treeless control, sampling of identical distances in agroforestry and control are necessary.

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Willows rapidly affect microclimatic conditions and forage yield in two temperate short-rotation agroforestry systems

Cited by 5 publications

References 27 publications

Agroforestry Systems for Soil Health Improvement and Maintenance

Agroforestry Systems for Soil Health Improvement and Maintenance

Perennial forages in cold‐humid areas: Adaptation and resilience‐building strategies toward climate change

Five years of grassland yield and quality assessment in a temperate short-rotation alley cropping agroforestry system

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