"Agroforestry refers to any of a broad range of land use practices where pasture or crops are integrated with trees and shrubs."
Various Agroforestry systems exist, including alley cropping, forest farming, silvopasture, and multistory cropping. Understanding each system's characteristics is essential in choosing the most appropriate system for a particular setting.
Agroforestry basics: Introduction to the principles and practices of agroforestry systems, including its benefits and challenges, history, and its relevance in sustainable agriculture.
Forest ecology: Understanding the structure, function, and dynamics of forests, including their plant communities, wildlife, and soils.
Tree ethnobotany: Learning about the uses and ecological roles of trees in different cultures and societies.
Silviculture: Managing and cultivating forest resources, including planting, tending, and harvesting practices.
Agroforestry tree species: Identifying and selecting tree species that are well-suited for agroforestry systems, based on their ecological characteristics, adaptability, and cultural uses.
Soil science: Understanding the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, and how they affect plant growth and nutrient availability.
Agroforestry livestock management: Integrating livestock production into agroforestry systems, including grazing, manure management, and animal husbandry practices.
Agroforestry economics: Analyzing the economic viability of agroforestry systems, including market-based incentives and potential revenue streams.
Climate change and agroforestry: Understanding the role of agroforestry in mitigating climate change by reducing carbon emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, and adapting to changing climatic conditions.
Landscape ecology: Examining the interactions between natural and human systems across large landscapes, including land use planning and resource management.
Agroforestry policy and regulations: Learning about national and international policies that govern agroforestry systems, including regulations on land use, forestry, and agriculture.
Agroforestry research methods: Developing and conducting research projects to advance knowledge and improve agroforestry practices.
Agroforestry social science: Exploring the cultural, social, and economic aspects of agroforestry systems, including the roles of gender, ethnicity, and community participation.
Agroforestry extension and outreach: Developing and delivering educational programs to support farmer adoption of agroforestry practices, including workshops, training programs, and outreach materials.
Alley Cropping: This is a system where crops are grown in alleys between rows of trees in a pattern.
Forest Farming: This is the practice of cultivating and harvesting non-timber forest products such as mushrooms, nuts, and berries.
Silvopasture: This is a system where trees, forage plants, and livestock are integrated to maximize production and sustainability.
Shade Coffee: This is a system where coffee is grown under the shade of taller trees, which can provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to soil health.
Windbreaks: These are rows of trees planted across a farm or field to shelter crops and livestock from wind and reduce erosion.
Multistrata Agroforestry: This is a system where multiple layers of trees and crops are stacked vertically to maximize production and diversity.
Homegardens: These are small-scale agroforestry systems where trees and crops are grown together in traditional household gardens.
Traditional Agroforestry: This is a diverse set of local practices that integrate trees, crops, and animals in rural landscapes.
Riparian Buffers: These are strips of trees and vegetation planted along streams and rivers to improve water quality and plant and animal habitat.
Permaculture: This is an agroforestry system that involves designing human settlements that function like ecosystems.
"This intentional combination of agriculture and forestry has multiple benefits, such as greatly enhanced yields from staple food crops, enhanced farmer livelihoods from income generation, increased biodiversity, improved soil structure and health, reduced erosion, and carbon sequestration."
"Trees in agroforestry systems can also produce wood, fruits, nuts, and other useful products with economic and practical value."
"Agroforestry practices are especially prevalent in the tropics, especially in subsistence smallholdings areas with particular importance in sub-Saharan Africa."
"However, due to its multiple benefits, for instance in nutrient cycle benefits and the potential for mitigating droughts, it has been adopted in the USA and Europe."
"Agroforestry shares principles with intercropping but can also involve much more complex multi-strata agroforests containing hundreds of species."
"Agroforestry can also utilize nitrogen-fixing plants such as legumes to restore soil nitrogen fertility."
"Enhanced farmer livelihoods from income generation"
"Increased biodiversity"
"Reduced erosion and carbon sequestration"
"Improved soil structure and health"
"Particular importance in sub-Saharan Africa"
"Enhanced farmer livelihoods from income generation"
"Greatly enhanced yields from staple food crops"
"Trees in agroforestry systems can also produce wood, fruits, nuts, and other useful products with economic and practical value."
"The potential for mitigating droughts"
"Reduced erosion"
"Reduced erosion and carbon sequestration"
"Particular importance in subsistence smallholdings areas"
"Agroforestry shares principles with intercropping but can also involve much more complex multi-strata agroforests containing hundreds of species."