Numerous studies have emphasised the ecological importance of linear and insular uncropped habitats, including forest shelterbelts, patches, and grassy margins. Usually, their biodiversity-enhancing effects are mentioned, mainly based on research in bird and above-ground arthropod communities, while the diversity of herbaceous vegetation and soil mesofauna is barely mentioned. Our research investigated

In Southern Brazil, caívas, agroforestry systems within patches of Araucaria Forest that include cattle production, have been used historically throughout the region. Despite their importance for biodiversity conservation, this system is being progressively replaced with high-yield agricultural crops, resulting in forest loss. However, such a loss of native vegetation could be avoided by developing

The contents of this Special Issue of Agroforestry Systems are from selected papers presented at the 16th North American Agroforestry Conference of the Association for Temperate Agroforestry held at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, from June 24–27, 2019. The conference attracted over 150 participants and the event included oral presentations with seven concurrent sessions, poster presentations

A systematic review was conducted to examine expected economic outcomes of rubber-based agroforestry systems during mature rubber stage in comparison with monoculture rubber farming. Twelve studies were identified for a narrative synthesis of economic outcomes of the mature rubber production systems. The review found that whilst monoculture rubber production may produce higher income in some cases

Cultivation in agroforestry system represents an alternative for agroecological production for plants with economic potential, such as medicinal plants. The productive efficiency of this system requires adequate and efficient management strategies for the different intercropped species. The present study aimed to evaluate shoot biomass and production of secondary metabolites (essential oil and flavonoids)

1.In many tropical areas, forests have almost undergone complete decline. In this context, agroforestry has often been acknowledged as fostering compromises between crop production, local income diversification and the preservation of forest ecosystem services. 2.Cocoa agroforestry capacity to provide ecosystem services has mainly been studied through a management intensification gradient summed up

Scarcity of green fodder in semi-arid regions is a major bottleneck for the adoption of livestock-based production systems. To address this challenge with a focus on sustainable and appropriate land-use systems for forage production, this study compared forage species yield, tree growth and soil nutrients when sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

An inventory of the species in and around the clove agroforestry systems (AFS) on the east coast of Madagascar revealed that none of the currently grown species derive from the native Malagasy biodiversity: the herbaceous and woody plants which comprise planned agrobiodiversity, i.e. are deliberately planted by the farmer, are without exception, introduced species. The associated agrobiodiversity,

Trees in agroforestry systems provide multiple ecological and economic functions. Smallholder vanilla agroforests include shade trees common across agroforestry systems, and small-statured support trees carrying the vanilla vine. Support trees have received little scientific attention so far. The objectives of our study were to assess the diversity, composition and geographic origin of support trees

Agroforestry systems are widely used all over the world, especially in southern Xinjiang, China, because of their multiple ecosystem functioning and services. However, the effects of tree canopy structure on the microenvironment and associated crop yield remain unclear. We set up a field experiment with four tree forms of almonds (Amygdalus communis L.), delayed open-central shape (DC), semicircle

In the south of Bolivia, a group of traditional wine growers are distinguished by the cultivation of grapevines on native trees that serve as tutors. These growers currently represent one of the few examples of agroforestry vineyards in the world. They offer an opportunity to analyze the structure and management of these cropping systems, and to identify the ecosystem services provided by the combination

Biomass bioenergy is an essential source of energy in many parts of rural India. Studies show a large scale fuelwood extraction from the local forests has resulted in the degradation of forest structure and composition. A detailed study on fuel wood species diversity and its utilization pattern is lacking for the Indian Eastern Himalayan region. The present study aims to inventorize the fuelwood species

The objective of this study was to determine the nitrogen balance of Holstein cows grazing on an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) with wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray) and kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. Ex Chiov) Morrone) or on a monoculture (MONO) of kikuyu grass, and supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in order to compare the efficiency

The current expansion of cacao cultivation in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is associated with deforestation, forest degradation, biodiversity loss and high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Global concerns about emissions that are associated with tropical commodity production are increasing. Consequently, there is a need to change the present cacao-growing practice into a more climate-friendly cultivation

Ecosystems provide a variety of services that are important for human well-being. The estimation of different ecosystem services is necessary to support decision-making processes at different levels in the landscapes. The dynamics of land use, based on LANDSAT satellite images from the years 1978, 1986, 1998 and 2011 in La Vía Láctea (Nicaragua), was analyzed to estimate its impact on four ecosystem

Cork oak woodlands are highly biodiverse silvopastoral systems, economically and socially relevant to rural communities in many Mediterranean areas. The installation of legume-rich pasture mixtures became a common practice in these woodlands aiming to obtain higher productivity, to improve soil fertility, and to increase the amount of protein for forage. The predicted impacts of climate change will

Sustainable feeding practices using agroforestry plants with high nutritional value can replace costlier feed ingredients, reduce food feed competition and lower greenhouse gas emissions in ruminants. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess nutritional value and in vitro rumen fermentation parameters of various unconventional tree leaves from North Eastern Himalayan region to widen phytobiotic

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are proved to enhance sustainable land management. Thus, there is increasing demand for effective ways to scale up AFS so that more people can benefit. Consequently, this study assesses the scaling-up potential of agroforestry systems (AFS) using cacao farming and cattle ranching in Caquetá and Cesar, Colombia, as examples. An ex-ante assessment using the ScalA tool is conducted

Land degradation and the associated soil acidity are critical challenge for crop production in Ethiopian highlands. Since liming is expensive, farmers have developed an alternative agroforestry system by integrating Acacia decurrens into their landscapes. The expansion rate of this system was assessed over the last three decades. The effects of the agroforestry system and charcoal-making kiln sites

Natural, semi-natural, and extensively managed oak woodlands and forests are prevalent across the world. These lands fulfil a range of ecosystem services, goods, and functions. Increasing natural and anthropogenic pressures impose threats to these lands. This paper first describes the Quercus genus and discusses management and mismanagement practices of oak systems. Then, the provisioning ecosystem

Agroforestry systems are the most promising land use practice for achieving both conservation goals and supporting rural livelihoods at landscape level. Coffee agroforests in Western Ghats region of India are sustainably managed under the shade of native trees. Kodagu district located in the Central Western Ghats is the largest shade coffee-growing regions in the country hosting rich biodiversity.

Mentha arvensis and Populus deltoides are extensively cultivated in prime agriculture land of Terai and the Indo-Gangetic region. The investigation was carried out by taking four varieties of menthol mint under poplar based agroforestry and open farming system to evaluate the interaction effect on growth, yield and economic parameters of mint varieties. The growth and yield parameters of crop were

Home gardens (HGs) in North-East India are the oldest form of land use practice next to shifting cultivation. Every garden is a unique entity in terms of component arrangement, organization and management, and it reflects the personal preferences of the owner, keeping in mind the suitability and site quality of the area. This study was initiated to determine the species diversity of home gardens in

The harvesting of açaí berries (palm fruits from the genus Euterpe) in Amazonia has increased over the last 20 years due to a high local and global market demand and triggered by their widely acclaimed health benefits as a ‘superfood’. Although such increase represents a financial boom for local communities, unregulated extraction in Amazonia risks negative environmental effects including biodiversity

Montados are oak wood-pastures occupying 11% of the Portuguese territory. This agroforestry system has been traditionally used for animal husbandry, agricultural, and forestry purposes. Present day Montados are threatened by land use changes, either intensification or abandonment, and climate global warming that has fostered parasitic plagues and enhanced hydric stress. This study highlights the relevance

The restoration of degraded lands has received increased attention in recent years and many commitments have been made as part of global and regional restoration initiatives. Well-informed policy decisions that support land restoration, require spatially explicit information on restoration potentials to guide the design and implementation of restoration interventions in the context of limited resources

The establishment of extensive livestock systems in the Colombian Caribbean Region has historically generated a strong loss of the tropical dry forest (TDF) with negative effects on biodiversity. Currently, the implementation of silvopastoral systems (SPS) has been proposed with strategy to curb the loss of biodiversity caused by the conventional management system (CS). The objective was to evaluate

A field experiment conducted at research farm of College of Agriculture Jabalpur J.N.K.V.V (M.P) on 2017–18. First year of experiment on based on Agri-Horticulture practices of agroforestry. It have two system of Sole-Horticulture (Mango) plantation and another Agri-Horticulture practices (Mustard crops + Mango). Agri-Horticulture practices have five mustard varietal treatment (Pusa Bold, Arpan, JM-3

Agroforestry, with its wide range of economic, ecological, and social benefits, provides a sustainable alternative to contemporary agriculture linked today to many environmental and social problems. However, on-the-ground adoption and dissemination of U.S. agroforestry remains limited despite advances in research on its application, benefits, and potential. Few studies have explored factors influencing

The natural regeneration of temperate forests is frequently depleted by anthropogenic practices such as overgrazing, excessive logging, and forest fires. In Mexico, biodiversity conservation is an important objective, although many small farmers who depend on native forest vegetation for extensive grazing to raise their herds. The objective of this work was to characterize the vegetation of the A.

Southern pines are important tree species in both silvopasture and woodland systems. Information on the dynamics of soil quality and growth of southern pines in these systems, especially when grazing animals are included in the system, is limited. Hypothesis of the study was that the soil quality and growth of southern-pine trees would be better in silvopastures vs. woodlands. The study objective was

The widespread woodland coverage (61%) in the southeast US may provide extended grazing and browsing opportunities for small ruminants. However, much of the vegetation present in woodlands is above small ruminants’ browse height, suggesting that lowering the height of non-pine (understory) vegetation could increase forage availability for animals, resulting in better animal performance. This study

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the forests of eastern North America with a long history of use and harvest, and with a significant international market. To supply international demand, the plant is grown in the USA and Canada under artificial shade cloth. However, wild and wild-appearing ginseng roots command prices up to 100 times greater than

Agroforestry systems play an important role in sustainable agroecosystems. However, accurately and adequately quantifying the relationships between environmental factors and tree growth in these systems are still lacking. Objectives of this study were to quantify environmental factors affecting growth of four tree species and to develop functional soil maps (FSM) for each species in an agroforestry

Ethnic homestead forests or the traditional agroforestry systems (TAFS) can achieve sustainable production, in-situ biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation while maintaining cultural values. The presence of trees under the TAFS increases the ecological and aesthetic value of the landscape and possesses important economic value for the farmer. This study aimed to determine the contribution

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) sequestration within different riparian buffer systems (RBSs) is less documented. This study therefore investigated SOC sequestration potential in the upper 0–60 cm soil layer in diverse RBSs in Southern Ontario, Canada. Mean SOC stocks on an equivalent soil mass basis was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in RBSs (376.164 Mg C ha−1) than the adjacent agricultural fields (148

Climate change creates uncertainty for the future of animal agriculture and forage productivity. The use of palatable shrubs that can be browsed directly as a mid-story component in silvopastures may be one way to diversify resources and mitigate losses in forage productivity. While white mulberry (Morus alba) has been widely studied for its fodder potential, there remains a paucity of information

Dry tropical forests have a high diversity of local tree species with forage potential; these trees can be a strategic resource in the design of more sustainable livestock systems. The forage potential of sixteen selected tree species was evaluated in silvopastoral systems in Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico. Available biomass and nutritional quality of leaves and fruits consumed by cattle were estimated in

In an agri-silviculture of the plum (Prunus domestica L. Cv. Opal), the forage quality of smooth vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L.) was evaluated. For this purpose, a two-year (2016 and 2017) factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Urmia University, Iran. The treatments included the combined and individual application of biofertilizers {Azotobacter

Livestock production by smallholder farmers in southern Africa is often constrained by insufficient fodder during the dry season. The aim of this study was to determine if inclusion of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) hedgerows in Megathyrsus maximus ‘Gatton’ pastures could improve fodder production and nutritional yields, and to investigate effects of hedgerow cutting height on fodder production

The edible mushroom Volvariella volvacea or straw mushroom is extensively cultivated throughout the year in countries with warm and humid climates. It has the potential for integration into agroforestry food production systems and support food security strategies via climate- and environmental-friendly agriculture, without adversely affecting forest ecosystems. This study aims to ascertain the effect

This study evaluated how integrated crop–livestock–forestry systems affected the expression of sexual traits in Nellore heifers. The serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor type-I (IGF-I), follicular diameter, rump fat thickness (RFT), and weight gain were assessed in 48 prepubertal Nellore heifers (14–16 months old, initial average live weight of 270 ± 36 kg). Calf birth weight was assessed

This article overviews the prairie and tree planting tool or PT2 (1.0), an online GIS-based decision support tool for landowners interested in exploring opportunities to plant prairie or trees in and around their farm fields for conservation or production purposes. PT2 1.0 can be found online at: https://pt2.nrem.iastate.edu/. With the PT2 (1.0) users locate farm fields of interest in an online aerial

Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) is a woody shrub with various characteristics that have made it useful in agroforestry systems. Recently, a biomass gasification power plant (BGPP) is engaging in extending calliandra plantations because of calliandra’s high heating value. Since the byproduct of BGPP is biochar, widely known for helping CO2 mitigation, this research aims to integrate biochar application

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is a simple and inexpensive practice for restoring vegetation cover on degraded land, unlike reforestation. Current knowledge on the socioeconomic factors that may influence its adoption is limited. The objective of this study is to analyze the socioeconomic determinants of FMNR adoption by communities. 197 households were surveyed. The probit model was used

Light is a limiting resource for crops within integrated land use systems especially those including woody perennials. The amount of available light at ground level can be modified by artificially pruning the overstory. Aiming to increase the understanding of light management strategies, we simulated the pruning of wild cherry trees and compared the shading effects of the resulting tree structures

Canopy adaptation to shade can make forage nutritive value in a silvopastoral system similar or even greater than of open pasture. Our objective was to evaluate the shading effect on nutritive value of Marandu palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst A. Rich) Stapf] under clipping in a silvopastoral system (SPS) with Eucalyptus urograndis (hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus

Agroforestry is an interdisciplinary science that allows the sustainable use of the land and promotes a holistic management of its components, such as trees, crops, and animals. In the last 40 years, when merging the producers’ traditional knowledge and the scientific advances on sustainability, these systems have demonstrated to be sustainable. Traditional agroforestry systems (TAS) are contemporary

We explored the socio-ecological factors mediating the composition of crop species composition in homegardens of southwest Ethiopia. For this, eleven kebeles were purposively selected based on the altitudinal variations that range between 1980 and 3271 ma.s.l. From each kebele 11 households were randomly selected and in total 121 households were used for the study. Here, a complete plant inventory

Shade trees in coffee farms are promoted worldwide for ecological sustainability and adaptation to climate change. However, contradicting reports on the effects of shade trees in coffee agroforestry systems are emanating from Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) farmers. Therefore, this study: (1) characterized the shade trees in Arabica coffee-based agroforestry system; (2) identified the tree selection

This study evaluated the effect of cutting regime on biomass yield and nutrient composition of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) fodder in the Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecological Zone of Ghana. Three cutting regimes (12, 16 and 20 Week After Planting [WAP]) in RCBD were imposed on Cajanus cajan at both initial establishment and regrowth. At each harvest, biomass yield was estimated after which samples

It is more and more acknowledged that agroecological innovations, such as agroforestry practices, should be co-created through a combination of research and traditional knowledge, be context adaptable, and meet the needs of producers and consumers. The word “innovation” recognises that agroforestry practices do exist everywhere in the world. However, to be able to effectively respond to global challenges

Cover crops significantly affect soil quality, and growth characteristics in apple orchards, but reports are scarce. Therefore, the present study was conducted on a 15-year-old apple orchard (cultivar ‘Red Gold’) at Kashmir valley (32°22′–34°43′N, 73°52′–75°42′E; 1850 m.a.s.l.) to determine the influence of grass (Festuca arundinaceae) and legume (Trifolium pratense) bi-culture (GLBC) on soil properties

Bauhinia thonningii is a woody leguminous tree species, which is endowed with enormous soil improvement, medicinal, nutritional, and socio-ecological benefits in African. The current study was carried out to systematically review and document findings on the multiple benefits of B. thonningii and thereby identify gaps and opportunities for further comprehensive studies. A systematic and manual search